New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced the launch of an annual FASTag pass, priced at ₹3,000. This pass will be available starting August 15, and once activated, will remain valid for one year. It allows up to 200 toll booth crossings and is exclusively available for private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, vans, etc.
The pass is specially designed to work across all toll booths on the national highway network. Gadkari stated that the new pass aims to provide seamless toll payment access and will be a game-changer for regular highway commuters.
To activate or renew the annual FASTag pass, users will soon have access to a dedicated link on the NHAI’s Yatra app, the NHAI website, and the Ministry of Road Transport website. The process will be simple and user-friendly.
The long-standing concern of having toll plazas within every 60-km stretch will now be addressed with this pass, as it reduces the frequency of toll payments and streamlines highway travel.
Key features of the Annual FASTag Pass:
Cost: ₹3,000
Validity: 1 year from activation
Usage: Up to 200 toll booth crossings
Eligibility: Only for private vehicles
Availability: From August 15 onwards
FASTag was made mandatory for all four-wheelers starting February 15, 2021. Vehicle owners are required to submit their KYC documents and acquire FASTag from authorized operators, which is then affixed to the windshield of the vehicle. Currently, users must frequently recharge their FASTag accounts. However, with the introduction of this annual pass, that hassle will be eliminated.
At present, a single vehicle crossing 200 toll plazas in a year would incur toll charges of nearly ₹10,000. But with this annual pass, the same benefit will be available for just ₹3,000.
Minister Gadkari emphasized that this initiative will make toll payment easier, reduce waiting time at toll booths, ease congestion, and help in faster dispute resolution. The pass is expected to provide millions of private vehicle owners with a faster, smoother, and more efficient travel experience.