Overview
- A government gazette on April 2 set a nationwide cash ban across roughly 1,150 National Highways Authority of India toll plazas, effective April 10, with payments via FASTag or UPI at 1.25 times the fee for vehicles without FASTag.
- Missed tolls trigger an e-notice with a 72-hour window to pay the normal amount, after which the charge doubles and, after 15 days, the debt is recorded in the VAHAN vehicle database.
- Vehicles lacking a valid FASTag that also refuse UPI can be denied entry or removed under Rule 14 of the National Highways Fee Rules.
- The ministry is ending on-the-spot ID waivers by directing eligible users to get Exempted FASTags or buy annual passes, including a Rs 3,075 option for private cars that covers 200 plazas.
- Uttar Pradesh has increased user fees, including Agra–Lucknow Expressway car tolls to Rs 675 from Rs 665, with smaller hikes on routes such as the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.