Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday announced a new FASTag-based annual pass that will allow private non-commercial vehicles to travel across India’s national highways with ease. Priced at ₹3,000, the pass is set to launch on August 15 and will be valid for 200 trips or one year—whichever comes first.
In an official post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Gadkari said, “The annual pass will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country.” He added that a dedicated link for activation and renewal will be available soon on the Rajmarg Yatra App and the official websites of NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) and MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways).
New Toll Policy to Address Congestion and Reduce Disputes
The minister said this policy aims to address long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60-km range, while simplifying toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. “By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimising disputes at toll plazas, the annual pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,” Gadkari stated.
Last month, reports had suggested the government was evaluating multiple toll reform models. Alongside the now-announced annual pass, another proposed option included a distance-based toll system, charging a flat ₹50 per 100 km. However, that proposal has yet to be confirmed.
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The new pass will operate on the existing FASTag infrastructure, but is seen as a stepping stone toward replacing toll booths with sensor-based and GPS-enabled systems that facilitate barrier-free, automated toll collection.
An earlier proposal for a ‘lifetime FASTag’—costing ₹30,000 for 15 years—was shelved due to concerns about affordability and implementation.
