Maharashtra Goes Cashless at Toll Plazas: FASTag and E-Tag Mandatory from April 1
Starting April 1, Maharashtra is set to take a significant step toward digital toll collection. Motorists passing through toll plazas across the state will no longer have the option to pay in cash. Instead, payments will be exclusively accepted through FASTag or E-Tag systems. This move aligns with the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) 2021 policy and aims to streamline toll collection, reduce traffic congestion, and promote digital payments.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has issued a public notice warning drivers of the consequences of non-compliance. Vehicles without a valid or functional FASTag will be charged double the applicable toll fee. Cash, smart cards, POS machines, credit/debit cards, and QR codes will no longer be accepted at toll plazas.
This new policy will impact several key routes, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link (Bandra-Worli Sea Link), and NH-48. Additionally, five major entry points to Mumbai—Vashi, Airoli, Dahisar, Mulund EEH, and LBS Marg Mulund/Thane—will enforce the cashless system. The change will also affect toll plazas on the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (23 plazas) and the Integrated Road Development Project of Nagpur (five plazas), among others.
The transition to cashless toll collection is part of a broader effort to enhance efficiency and convenience for commuters. By eliminating cash transactions, authorities hope to reduce waiting times at toll plazas and encourage the adoption of digital payment methods.
As the April 1 deadline approaches, motorists are urged to ensure their vehicles are equipped with a valid FASTag to avoid penalties and delays.
