Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, June 18: The Centre has decided to launch an annual FASTag scheme only for private non-commercial vehicles for more hassle-free and faster highway travel across the country.
The scheme would be launched from August 15, the Independence Day, and would be valid for one year from the date of activation or 200 trips, whichever is earlier. Crossing one toll plaza will be treated as one trip.
The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday announced a FASTag-based annual pass priced at Rs 3,000 for “hassle-free-highway travel.” He said the new system, exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, would address the “long-standing concerns” regarding toll plazas.
Mr Gadkari said the FASTag-based passes will be effective from August 15 and valid for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes earlier.
“In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs. 3,000, effective from 15th August 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first—this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans,” Mr Gadkari said in a post on X.
He said the annual pass would enable “seamless and cost-effective travel” across national highways throughout the country. A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), said Gadkari.
“This policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimizing disputes at toll plazas, the Annual Pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,” said Mr Gadkari.
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FASTag is an electronic toll collection system managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). FASTag sticker is usually pasted on the windscreen of a car. It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to communicate with scanners installed at toll plazas. Once the car crosses a toll plaza, the requisite toll amount is automatically deducted from a bank account or a prepaid wallet linked to the FASTag.
He said the Annual Pass would reduce the need to stop and pay at toll plazas within 60 km ranges, offer cost-effective and convenient highway travel, would help avoid traffic jams and long queues at toll booths and cut down on disputes over toll collection.
With this Annual FASTag Pass, the government is making highway travel less stressful and more affordable, he added.
