Telangana car owners may find themselves unable to take advantage of the Centre's newly launched Annual Toll Pass scheme for National Highways (NHs) and expressways, which is scheduled to commence on August 15. The impediment lies in the fact that vehicles registered in Telangana have not yet been migrated to the Vahan database, the central repository for vehicle registration details.
The annual pass, designed to streamline toll payments, requires real-time validation of vehicle class through the Vahan portal. This validation is essential to ensure that only eligible vehicles, specifically those registered as "non-commercial car/ jeep/ van," can avail of the FASTag-based pass. The pass, priced at ₹3,000, grants users 200 toll-free crossings on NHs within a year.
The Union transport secretary, V Umashankar, has communicated the urgency of the matter to the Telangana chief secretary, seeking "personal intervention" to expedite the migration of the state's vehicle data to the Vahan portal. This migration is crucial to ensure "equitable access to the nationwide facility for road users". The central government has been engaging with the Telangana state government since May to merge the state's driving license (DL) and vehicle registration certificate (RC) data with the national registers, Sarathi and Vahan, respectively.
Telangana is the only state that has yet to complete this integration. Sources suggest that central authorities expect prompt action from the state government, as this issue is vital for managing DL and RC-related matters at the national level.
The Annual Toll Pass scheme, announced by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, is intended to simplify toll payments for frequent travelers. It addresses concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60-km range and aims to reduce wait times, ease congestion, and minimize disputes at toll plazas. The pass is valid for one year from the date of activation or until 200 trips are completed, whichever comes first. Activation and renewal are expected to be facilitated through the Rajmarg Yatra App and the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH.
While Telangana residents may currently miss out on the Annual Toll Pass, they still have access to the existing FASTag system for electronic toll collection on national highways. FASTag is mandatory for all four-wheeled vehicles and above since January 1, 2021. FASTags can be obtained from 26 certified banks for a maximum tag cost of ₹100 plus a ₹200 security deposit. These tags enable automatic toll deductions and faster passage through toll plazas and can be recharged via UPI, mobile apps, and BBPS. Monthly passes are also available for non-commercial vehicles residing within 20 km of toll plazas. For instance, the monthly pass for non-commercial vehicles residing within 20 km of the Gummadidala toll plaza (NH-765D) is ₹350 for FY 2025-26.
The implementation of the FASTag annual pass is scheduled for August 15, 2025, and is priced at ₹3,000 annually. The pass is applicable to non-commercial private vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans, and is valid for one year or up to a maximum of 200 trips on National and Central Government Express Highways. Activation or renewal can be done through the Rajmarg Yatra App or the official websites of NHAI or MoRTH.