The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is set to launch a new FASTag-based Annual Pass for private vehicles on August 15, 2025. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced this initiative, designed to simplify toll payments and make highway travel more convenient. Here's a breakdown of the key details:

What is the FASTag Annual Pass?

The FASTag Annual Pass is a prepaid pass that allows non-commercial private vehicles to travel seamlessly across National Highways for a fixed price. The aim is to reduce congestion at toll plazas, minimize disputes, and provide faster movement for vehicles. This pass addresses concerns about frequent toll deductions, especially for those traveling short distances where toll plazas are closely located.

How much does it cost?

The annual pass is priced at ₹3,000 (inclusive of all taxes). This one-time payment covers a year of travel or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. Considering that current monthly passes for frequent commuters cost ₹340, totaling ₹4,080 annually, the new annual pass presents a cost-effective alternative.

Who is eligible?

The pass is exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles, specifically cars, jeeps, and vans. Commercial vehicles like taxis and trucks are not eligible.

Where can you use it?

The FASTag Annual Pass is valid across all National Highways in India. This allows for seamless travel throughout the country without the need for repeated toll payments.

How does it work?

The Annual Pass is linked to the existing FASTag system, which uses RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology for automatic toll collection. Once the pass is activated, toll deductions will not occur until the one-year validity or the 200-trip limit is reached. Passing through one toll plaza will be counted as one trip.

How to Recharge and Renew?

Activation and renewal of the pass will be available through the Rajmarg Yatra mobile application and on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). A dedicated link for this purpose will be released before the launch date.

FASTag Recharge Rules

While the annual pass simplifies toll payments for frequent travelers, regular FASTag users should also be aware of general FASTag recharge rules:

• Sufficient Balance: Maintain an adequate balance in your FASTag wallet to prevent blacklisting. It's advisable to recharge well in advance of travel.
• Timely Recharges: To avoid issues, recharge your FASTag a minimum of 7 minutes before arriving at a toll plaza.
• Grace Period: If a FASTag is blacklisted, a 70-minute grace period exists to recharge and rectify the status before reaching the toll booth. Recharging within 10 minutes of the tag being scanned may allow you to request a refund of any penalty.
• Multiple FASTags: Only one active FASTag is permitted per vehicle. All other FASTags linked to the vehicle will be deactivated.
• Recharge Methods: FASTags can be recharged through various methods, including net banking, UPI, debit/credit cards, and through the My FASTag App. You are not restricted to recharging through the bank that issued the FASTag.

Benefits

• Cost-Effective: The ₹3,000 annual fee can be more economical for frequent highway users compared to paying individual tolls or even monthly passes.
• Convenience: Eliminates the need for frequent recharges and toll payments, streamlining the travel experience.
• Reduced Congestion: By enabling faster toll transactions, the pass contributes to reducing wait times and congestion at toll plazas.
• Predictable Costs: Offers predictability in travel expenses, making budgeting easier for regular commuters.

Addressing Concerns

This new policy directly addresses concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km radius, simplifying payments into a single, affordable transaction. This initiative is expected to greatly improve the travel experience for private vehicle owners by reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimizing disputes at toll collection points.