Outlook Business Desk
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will launch the FASTag Annual Pass for frequent travellers from August 15. The initiative aims to make frequent long-distance highway commutes more convenient, reduce toll congestion, and offer cost savings for private vehicle owners.
Announced in June this year, the Annual Pass is a prepaid toll plan for private cars, jeeps, and vans. For ₹3,000, owners get up to 200 toll trips or one year of travel on eligible highways, whichever comes first.
Made for frequent travellers, the pass cuts down on constant recharges, makes toll payments quicker, and eases delays at plazas while addressing the problem of closely spaced toll booths on certain routes.
Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari said the pass will simplify toll transactions, cut waiting times, reduce disputes, and offer smoother travel, especially for routes with toll plazas located within 60 km. The focus is on delivering an affordable, streamlined experience for millions of private vehicle owners.
The Annual Pass is valid only on national highways and expressways under the NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Examples include the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, Mumbai–Nashik, and Mumbai–Ratnagiri routes. State-managed expressways will still operate under standard toll charges.
The scheme does not apply to state highways like the Mumbai–Pune Expressway or Bengaluru–Mysore Expressway. On these, FASTag will function normally with per-trip charges set by the respective state authorities.
Daily travellers benefit from fewer online payments, faster toll clearance, and predictable travel costs. The pass is non-transferable, tied to a single registered vehicle, and linked directly to an active FASTag account.
Users can purchase via the Rajmarg Yatra app or NHAI/ MoRTH websites. Enter vehicle and FASTag details, pay ₹3,000 online using UPI or debit card, and receive confirmation. The pass activates on Independence Day, marking its official rollout.
Each toll crossing deducts one trip from the 200-trip limit. After a year or when trips are exhausted, the system reverts to pay-per-use. The pass must be repurchased upon expiry and is not auto-renewed.