NHAI Introduces Rs3000 Annual Pass For Private Vehicle Highway Travel
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a new annual pass for private vehicles, promising substantial cost savings and enhanced convenience for frequent highway users. Priced at ₹3,000, this pass allows up to 200 trips per year or remains valid for one year, whichever comes first, on national highways and expressways. Set to come into force on August 15, the initiative aims to streamline toll payments and reduce the financial burden on commuters, marking a significant step towards modernizing highway travel and promoting seamless connectivity across the nation.
This innovative annual pass is exclusively applicable to private cars, jeeps, and vans. It will not operate on expressways, state highways managed by state governments or local bodies, or at parking lots and malls, where the regular FASTag will continue to be used. Activation of the annual pass will be seamless, occurring on the existing FASTag ID. Users can activate it conveniently through the Rajmargyatra mobile application or the official NHAI website, starting from August 15. Each time a vehicle crosses a toll plaza, it will be counted as one trip. For instance, a round trip on a route with seven toll plazas, like Chennai to Tiruchi, would account for 14 trips from the 200-trip limit.
The economic benefits of this new pass are considerable for regular travelers. For example, a comparable number of trips on a Chennai-Tiruchi route, which would cost approximately ₹9,900 for ten return journeys under the standard FASTag system, would only utilize 140 trips from the annual pass, potentially saving users up to ₹6,900. Once the 200-trip limit is reached, or the one-year validity expires, users can easily recharge their FASTag to resume regular toll payments or purchase a new annual pass. A regional official from the authority highlighted that this optional pass provides a cost-effective solution, directly addressing long-standing public grievances about multiple tolls within short distances and promoting hassle-free digital transactions on national highways. This move underscores a strategic effort to enhance road network efficiency and user experience across the country.
The introduction of NHAI’s annual pass marks a progressive step in optimizing highway travel for private vehicle owners. By offering significant cost savings and simplifying the toll collection process, this initiative will enhance convenience and promote the efficient use of India’s expanding national highway infrastructure, contributing to more sustainable and accessible road networks.
