Priced at ₹3,000, the pass will be valid for one year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings—whichever comes first—and is set to be rolled out on Independence Day, 15 August 2025.
In a significant move aimed at transforming highway travel across India, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday announced the launch of a FASTag-based Annual Pass for private vehicles. Priced at ₹3,000, the pass will be valid for one year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings—whichever comes first—and is set to be rolled out on Independence Day, 15 August 2025.
The Annual Pass will apply exclusively to non-commercial private vehicles, such as cars, jeeps, and vans, and is designed to provide a cost-effective and seamless experience for regular commuters on the country’s national highways.
Under the new scheme, each trip—defined as a single toll crossing—will average out to just ₹15, a significant drop from the current per-trip cost on India’s highways.
Speaking on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gadkari described the initiative as a “big relief” for the common citizen. “The government’s decision will provide great relief to the public. It will enable people to travel on a very large scale. Earlier, people had to pay toll charges amounting to nearly ₹10,000 annually. Now, the same travel can be done for just ₹3,000,” he said.
A cheaper, smoother ride
Under the new scheme, each trip—defined as a single toll crossing—will average out to just ₹15, a significant drop from the current per-trip cost on India’s highways. The minister pointed out that this would result in annual savings of approximately ₹7,000 for regular users of national highways.
“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 said.
To simplify user access, a dedicated link for activation and renewal of the Annual Pass will soon be available through the Rajmarg Yatra mobile 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).
Long-standing issues
One of the key concerns that this new policy addresses is the contentious issue of toll plazas situated within short distances—often less than 60 km apart—which has led to dissatisfaction among highway users for years.
By capping toll costs and eliminating the need for multiple separate payments, the Annual Pass introduces a simplified and digital-first tolling process. Gadkari stressed that this policy marks a step toward more transparent and equitable highway operations. “This will minimise queues at toll plazas and increase overall efficiency, especially during peak hours and festive seasons when congestion is at its worst,” he noted.
The Annual Pass is part of a broader push by the Modi government to digitise India’s highway infrastructure and encourage contactless tolling using FASTag technology. The FASTag system, launched nationwide in 2021, has seen widespread adoption, with more than 97% of toll collections now being made electronically.
Officials say the new pass will further reduce cash transactions at toll booths, increase revenue transparency, and decrease the scope for disputes and errors in toll deductions.
The scheme has already garnered praise from state leaders. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij called the move “historic” and said it would offer tangible relief to vehicle owners. “This will save time, fuel, and money for private commuters. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has taken a very welcome step, and I fully support this initiative,” he said.
Limitations and clarifications
It is important to note that the Annual Pass will be applicable only on national highways maintained by NHAI and does not extend to state highways or private toll roads. Also, the benefit is restricted to private vehicles; commercial and freight transporters will continue to pay tolls as per the existing structure.
While the cap of 200 trips offers value for most daily or weekend commuters, heavy users who exceed this limit would have to pay regular toll charges after reaching the threshold.
Officials in the Ministry confirmed that technical integration is underway to ensure a glitch-free launch on 15 August. The registration and recharge system on the Rajmarg Yatra app will include digital KYC, FASTag linkage, and SMS/email updates to notify users about trip usage and remaining balance.
“The focus is on giving people both convenience and clarity,” a senior MoRTH official told ANI. “We believe the Annual Pass will be extremely popular among long-distance drivers and those living in satellite cities who commute frequently.”
The FASTag Annual Pass could serve as a blueprint for future reforms in India’s road transport sector, including more unified tolling policies across states, integration with navigation systems, and dynamic toll pricing based on usage patterns.
As the country gears up to celebrate its 78th Independence Day, this announcement stands as a promising step towards greater mobility and financial relief for millions of Indian drivers.
