From Toll Trolls to Smooth Rolls: Govt Rolls Out Game-Changing FASTag Pass

In a landmark move to ease highway travel and reduce toll expenses, the Government of India has launched a FASTag-based Annual Pass for private vehicles, effective from August 15, 2025. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled the initiative, promising significant savings and smoother journeys for millions of commuters nationwide.

 

Key Highlights

 

Affordable Annual Pass: The pass is priced at ₹3,000, a sharp drop from the previous annual toll cost of around ₹10,000, offering potential savings of at least ₹7,000 per vehicle.

 

Who Can Avail: Exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. Commercial vehicles are not eligible and misuse will lead to immediate deactivation.

 

Validity: The pass is valid for one year from activation or up to 200 trips across National Highway and Expressway toll plazas—whichever comes first.

 

Seamless Activation: No need to purchase a new FASTag. Existing FASTags can be upgraded to the annual pass via the Rajmarg Yatra App or official NHAI/MoRTH websites. A dedicated activation link will be provided soon.

 

Flexible Recharge: Once the 200-trip limit is reached, users can repurchase the pass even before the year ends, ensuring uninterrupted travel.

 

Travel Experience: The initiative aims to eliminate the need to stop at toll plazas, reducing congestion, wait times, and disputes, thus streamlining the travel experience.

 

Digital Push: The move supports the government’s push for digital payments and efficient toll collection, benefiting over 10 crore FASTag users in India.

 

Not Mandatory: The annual pass is optional; regular FASTag toll payments will continue for those not opting in.

 

Trip Calculation: On open toll highways, each crossing counts as one trip; on closed systems (like Delhi-Mumbai Expressway), one entry-exit pair equals one trip.

 

“This decision will provide great relief to the public. It will enable people to travel on a very large scale. Earlier, people had to pay a toll of at least ₹10,000. Now, the new pass costs only ₹3,000, allowing for a validity of 200 trips annually,” said Nitin Gadkari.

 

With this transformative step, the government aims to address long-standing concerns over toll plaza proximity, high costs, and travel delays, making highway journeys more affordable and hassle-free for private vehicle owners.

 

Source: Times of India, Indian Express, Outlook Business, Hindustan Times, NDTV, CNBC TV18, AckoDrive, SGTTimes