To eliminate cash toll payments, NHAI to go for variable UPI system

NEW DELHI: To eliminate cash transactions at toll plazas for paying double the user fee as a penalty for not having a FASTag or for using a blacklisted one, the NHAI will implement a variable UPI payment system. The initial trial has started at the Kherki Dhaula toll plaza in Haryana and will be extended to all plazas across the country.
Cash transactions have been a matter of concern for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). In the latest case, fraudsters in Uttar Pradesh siphoned off money using parallel software to collect penalties from such vehicles.
TOI has learnt that the trial is being conducted at a few lanes at the Kherki Dhaula plaza. Sources said NHAI has zeroed down on payments through UPI considering the high usage of app-based digital payment interfaces. Moreover, since there will be variable UPI payment, there will be no scope of NHAI not getting the details of exact transactions as toll operators cannot fix any UPI QR code at plazas asking people to make the payment.
In a variable payment system, the amount varies based on the service or product. The payment system captures details such as the type of vehicle, toll plaza, and the toll amount. This prevents transferring the amount to a personal account.
Sources said though cash transactions are minimal since payment through FASTag has been made mandatory, there have been instances of toll operators beating the system.
“Payment through UPI has become the most convenient method for most people. So, for drivers of vehicles without FASTag, it will be better to pay through UPI than cash. It will also reduce time taken for such transactions,” said a source.