New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at streamlining highway travel and reducing commuter burden, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, today announced the introduction of a FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles. Priced at ₹3,000, this annual pass will be effective from August 15, 2025, and is set to offer a more convenient and cost-effective solution for frequent highway users.
The new annual pass will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. It is exclusively designed for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, and aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience across National Highways throughout the country.
Announcing the initiative, Minister Shri Gadkari highlighted that this policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas, particularly those located within a 60 km range, and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. “By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimizing disputes at toll plazas, the Annual Pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,” Gadkari stated in a social media post.
Officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) explained that the annual pass could lead to significant savings for frequent commuters. For instance, with 200 trips costing ₹3,000, the average cost per toll crossing works out to just ₹15, substantially lower than the current individual toll fees which can range significantly.
A dedicated link for activation and renewal of these annual passes will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App, as well as on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MoRTH. This will allow existing FASTag users to seamlessly transition to the new system without requiring additional documents or account changes.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader vision for a digital-first tolling ecosystem, further enhancing the efficiency of the FASTag system which has already achieved over 98% penetration in toll payments. While this annual pass is optional, it is expected to be widely adopted by private vehicle owners who regularly traverse national highways.