Toll Plaza: Traveling on highways in India is heading towards a fully digital experience. Starting April 1st, all toll booths across the nation will go cashless. Once the new regulations kick in, drivers will need to use either FASTag or UPI payment methods for toll fees. This initiative from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is designed to cut down on long queues at toll plazas, making travel smoother and quicker. Although an official announcement hasn’t been made yet, the ministry is gearing up to roll out this change seamlessly.
By eliminating cash transactions, traffic jams will be less frequent, making highway journeys more pleasant. As the deadline approaches, travelers should activate their FASTag or set up UPI payments ahead of time to steer clear of any potential problems.
Why is this change happening?
The government is looking to tackle various challenges linked to highway travel with this new rule. Here are some solid reasons for it:
Speedier trips: No more halting at toll booths to dig for change or get paper receipts, which means vehicles can zip through more quickly.
Fuel efficiency: The petrol and diesel wasted from constant stopping and starting at toll booths will be significantly reduced.
Clarity: Digital payments offer a clear and traceable record of each transaction, minimizing the chances of mistakes.
Barrier-free tolling
This shift is seen as the initial move towards a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll system. This system will leverage cutting-edge technology, allowing vehicles to pass through toll zones at regular highway speeds without stopping or facing any physical barriers. Advanced technology is being developed for this ‘no-stop tolling’ approach. Right now, it’s being piloted at 25 toll plazas throughout India. If successful, the inconvenience of halting at toll booths could be entirely removed in the future, making highway travel quicker and easier than ever!
What you should do?
Travelers are advised to check their FASTag account immediately. Ensure your FASTag is active and has sufficient balance. If you don’t use a FASTag, ensure your smartphone is fully enabled for UPI payments. This will help avoid hassles like being stopped at toll plazas, experiencing delays, or receiving fines.