The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, led by Nitin Gadkari, has announced a new FASTag-based Annual Pass for private vehicles, which is set to launch on August 15, 2025. Priced at Rs 3,000, this pass aims to offer convenient and economical highway travel for owners of cars, jeeps, and vans. The pass will be valid for one year from the date of activation or for 200 trips, whichever comes first, on National Highways across India.

This initiative is designed to significantly reduce costs for frequent highway users. Gadkari estimates that travelers could save up to Rs 7,000 annually. Previously, individuals often paid around Rs 10,000 in tolls, but this new pass brings the cost down significantly, with each toll crossing effectively costing approximately Rs 15. This is a substantial reduction from the current toll rates, which typically range from Rs 70-80 to over Rs 200 at most toll plazas in India.

The FASTag-based Annual Pass is not mandatory; it is an optional scheme intended to streamline travel and reduce congestion at toll plazas. The existing FASTag system will remain in place, allowing users who prefer not to purchase the annual pass to continue using their FASTag for standard toll payments. However, for those who opt-in, the pass promises a hassle-free experience on National Highways and National Expressways managed by the NHAI. It's important to note that the pass is not valid on state highways or private toll roads.

The Annual Pass will be available for activation and renewal through the Rajmarg Yatra mobile application and the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). A dedicated link for activation and renewal will be released closer to the launch date. Existing FASTag users will be able to add the Annual Pass to their current accounts, provided they meet the necessary conditions. Once the pass is enabled, users will receive SMS updates about it.

To activate the FASTag Annual Pass, users will need to ensure their FASTag is active and properly affixed to their vehicle. After verifying eligibility, payment of Rs 3,000 for the year 2025-2026 can be made via the Rajmarg Yatra app or the NHAI website. After either 200 trips or a year has passed, the pass will revert to the standard FASTag functionality, and users can then purchase a new annual pass if desired. The pass is linked to a specific vehicle and cannot be transferred. Each crossing at toll points that charge based on location will count as a single trip, with return journeys counting as two.