New Delhi: The road transport and highways ministry has categorically stated that cash payments will not be accepted at toll plazas on national highways with effect from April 10.
The ministry released a gazette notification stating that cash payments at toll plazas on national highways will be discontinued for travellers from April 10
However, vehicles which don’t have a valid Fastag would be allowed to pass but the user will be mandated to pay via Unified Payment Interface (UPI) at a higher charge of 1.25 times the applicable toll fee.
A senior NHAI official said the Centre’s decision is aimed at reducing long queues at toll gates and make highway travel smoother for commuters.
The official confirmed that cash payments will not be accepted at the toll booths from April 10 and FASTag will remain the primary mode of toll collection. UPI payments will be allowed to serve as the fallback payment option for vehicles that arrive without a valid FASTag.
“If the user of a vehicle enters a fee plaza without a FASTag or a valid functional FASTag, as the case may be, and opts to pay fee through the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), he shall pay 1.25 times of the user fee applicable to that category of vehicle in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (2) of rule 4.”
“Provided that if the owner or driver of the vehicle does not opt to pay a fee in the manner specified under this rule, such vehicle shall be dealt in accordance with rule 14,” the notification said.