New Delhi: There is good news for those who need to travel along highways frequently. The government is set to introduce a FASTag-based annual pass priced at Rs 3,000, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister of road transport and highways, posted on X on Wednesday.
The pass, to be issued from August 15, will be for non-commercial private vehicles only. It will be valid for a year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first, Gadkari has said.
“The annual pass will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country. A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH),” he said.
“This policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplifies 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,” the minister further stated.
There was recent talk about the government’s plans to roll out a new policy to make highway travel more convenient and affordable for people. Apart from the annual pass, there were rumours that MoRTH would announce a flat toll of Rs 50 per 100 km for non-commercial vehicles. It remains to be seen whether this happens.
The government’s ultimate goal is to do away with toll booths altogether and introduce a satellite-based collection system. However, this will take some time, officials have said.
