NEW DELHI, June 18: In a major initiative aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of highway travel for private vehicle owners, the Union government has announced the launch of a FASTag-based Annual Toll Pass priced at ₹3,000. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, unveiled the plan on Wednesday, describing it as a transformative step toward seamless and hassle-free travel across India’s National Highways.
The new pass, which will become operational from August 15, 2025, will be valid for either one year from the date of activation or up to 200 highway trips, whichever comes first. It applies solely to non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans.
“In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, effective from 15th August 2025,” Gadkari stated in an official post on X. “This initiative is designed to enable smooth and cost-effective travel across the country’s road network.”
A dedicated link for activation and renewal of the pass will be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App, as well as on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The new policy also addresses long-standing issues regarding toll plazas situated within 60 km of each other, which often result in excessive toll charges, traffic congestion, and disputes. The prepaid annual pass is expected to reduce wait times, ease congestion, and streamline toll collections through a single transaction system.
This announcement follows the government’s broader push to modernize toll collection. The FASTag system, first introduced in 2014 under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program, leverages Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to facilitate cashless toll payments.
Additionally, the Ministry is rolling out the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System at select toll plazas. This cutting-edge system integrates high-performance ANPR cameras with FASTag readers to automatically deduct tolls without stopping vehicles. For violators, e-Notices will be issued, and repeat offenders may face penalties or FASTag suspension under VAHAN regulations.
