₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass: In a major push towards hassle-free highway travel, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has unveiled an innovative FASTag-based Annual Pass exclusively for private vehicles. Priced at ₹3,000, this move is expected to revolutionize toll payments in India and enhance the travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners across the country.
The pass will be rolled out starting August 15, 2025, and will be applicable to non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. The Annual Pass will remain valid for 200 trips or one year from the date of activation—whichever comes first, offering both flexibility and affordability.
A Seamless Travel Solution
Announcing the initiative on Tuesday, Gadkari emphasized that this scheme is part of the government’s broader vision for smart and digitized infrastructure. The Annual Pass is designed to streamline toll payments, drastically cut down on wait times, and reduce the long-standing public inconvenience at toll plazas.
“This new pass will simplify travel and remove bottlenecks faced by private vehicle owners. It is a big step towards reducing toll-related congestion and disputes,” said Gadkari.
How It Works
To avail the Annual Pass, users can activate and renew it through the Rajmarg Yatra App, or by visiting the official websites of NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) and MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways).
Once activated, the pass allows a vehicle to make up to 200 toll transactions on National Highways within a year without any additional charges. This will particularly help daily commuters and frequent travelers who often pay significant amounts in toll fees over time.
Addressing Public Grievances
One of the key issues the new policy aims to resolve is the frequent toll collection within short distances—specifically, toll plazas located less than 60 kilometers apart. This has been a consistent point of frustration for drivers across India.
Gadkari acknowledged this issue and explained that the Annual Pass is a practical solution aimed at consolidating toll expenses into a single, predictable annual payment, thereby easing the financial and mental burden on travelers.
Boost for Digital India and Green Highways
The pass will work via FASTag, which is already a key component of India’s Digital India mission. With electronic toll collection gaining popularity, this pass is expected to further encourage digital adoption and help in building a smoother, tech-enabled transport system.
By minimizing stoppages at toll plazas, the initiative also indirectly contributes to fuel efficiency and reduction of vehicular emissions, aligning with India’s climate goals.
Who Benefits?
- Private vehicle owners, especially those who frequently travel on highways for work or leisure
- Daily commuters crossing multiple toll plazas
- Rural and urban travelers who face high toll expenses in congested zones
For many, this pass may translate into massive annual savings, more predictability in costs, and a frustration-free driving experience.
This initiative is a landmark step towards building a more user-friendly and future-ready highway infrastructure in India. By reducing both monetary and psychological tolls of travel, the FASTag-based Annual Pass is poised to become a game-changer for private transportation.
As India continues to expand its expressways and highway networks, such tech-driven, citizen-centric reforms will be vital in ensuring that growth is inclusive, efficient, and sustainable.
