India’s highway commuters are set to receive a significant boost in convenience as the FASTag Annual Pass rolls out on 15 August. Designed for frequent travellers, the new scheme offers up to 200 toll crossings or one year’s travel on national highways for a one-time payment of ₹3,000. Officials say the initiative will reduce congestion, minimise recharges, and streamline toll payments across the country.
Announced earlier this year, the plan specifically targets private cars, jeeps, and vans, excluding commercial vehicles. The pass links directly to an existing active FASTag account, ensuring there is no need to replace current tags. Its validity spans all national highways and expressways under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). According to senior transport officials, the programme also aims to address complaints regarding toll plazas located within short distances. By enabling pre-paid annual access, the move is expected to cut delays at toll booths, improve traffic flow, and lower fuel wastage from idling vehicles — a step towards more sustainable travel.
Purchasing the FASTag Annual Pass will be a fully digital process via the Rajmarg Yatra app or the official NHAI and MoRTH websites. Motorists will need to provide their vehicle registration details and FASTag ID, before making the payment online through UPI, cards, or net banking. Once processed, the pass will be activated from 15 August and confirmation will be sent via SMS. The pass’s coverage is limited to NHAI-operated corridors such as the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway and Mumbai–Nashik route. State-run toll roads like the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and Bengaluru–Mysore Expressway remain outside its ambit, where standard toll charges will still apply.
Rules stipulate that the pass is non-transferable and valid only for the vehicle linked at the time of purchase. Once the 200-trip limit or 12-month period ends, the system reverts to the standard pay-per-use FASTag. There is no auto-renewal option, meaning users will need to reapply if they wish to continue. Highway experts note that beyond financial savings, the scheme could have environmental benefits by cutting fuel consumption during prolonged toll queue times. However, they caution that effective implementation will depend on public awareness and robust monitoring to prevent misuse.
The FASTag Annual Pass is part of a broader national push to digitise transport infrastructure, making road travel faster, cleaner, and more efficient — in line with India’s mobility and sustainability goals.
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