National highway tolls go fully digital with FASTag, UPI payments

User fee payments at National Highway toll plazas across the country will be processed exclusively through digital modes such as FASTag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from Saturday, according to an official statement cited by PTI.The statement said the move aims to enhance efficiency and transparency in toll collection. The transition has not been implemented in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry due to the Model Code of Conduct in force for ongoing Assembly elections.The move aligns with the government’s long-standing push to strengthen digital infrastructure and promote cashless transactions, with FASTag, already widely used, becoming the default mode of payment at toll plazas.While the change may not be entirely new for regular commuters, as many toll plazas have already reduced or discouraged cash payments in recent years, drivers without FASTag will still have a fallback option, but at an additional cost.The policy is aimed at discouraging last-minute or non-compliant payments and encouraging users to install and maintain a functional FASTag instead of relying on alternative payment methods.Long queues at toll plazas have long been a persistent issue, with even brief delays per vehicle often leading to kilometres of congestion during peak hours. Vehicles equipped with FASTag can pass through toll points without stopping, as the fee is automatically deducted, reducing transaction time.Shorter waiting times could also lead to lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions, particularly on busy corridors, offering an environmental benefit.