Gadkari unveils ₹3,000 annual FASTag pass for private vehicles

The government is introducing a new FASTag-based annual pass priced at just Rs 3,000. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced this significant development via an X post on Wednesday, signaling a major step towards more seamless and cost-effective commutes for millions of private vehicle owners. This eagerly anticipated pass, a response to long-standing commuter demands, aims to simplify toll payments and drastically reduce congestion at plazas.

The annual pass, exclusively designed for non-commercial private vehicles, will be available for activation starting August 15. Once activated, it will remain valid for one year or up to 200 trips, whichever benchmark is reached first. This flexible validity aims to cater to both frequent and occasional highway users, ensuring value for money for a diverse range of commuters.

To ensure easy accessibility and smooth transitions, a dedicated link for both activating and renewing these passes will soon be made available. This will be integrated into the popular Rajmarg Yatra App, as well as the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), streamlining the entire process for vehicle owners.

Gadkari highlighted that this new policy directly addresses persistent concerns, particularly regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range. By allowing a single, affordable transaction for an entire year's travel, it seeks to eliminate the hassle of multiple toll deductions and disputes, promoting a more user-friendly system for everyday commuters and long-distance travelers alike.

The introduction of this annual pass aligns with previous discussions about a new toll policy aimed at making highway travel more economical. While there were earlier speculations about two types of passes – an annual one and a distance-based flat toll of Rs 50 per 100 km – the Rs 3,000 annual pass is the first concrete announcement. It remains to be seen if the other distance-based option will also be operationalized in the future.