Nitin Gadkari announces FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles at Rs 3,000 year

In a move aimed at streamlining toll payments and easing highway commutes for private vehicle owners, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced the introduction of a FASTag-based annual pass priced at Rs 3,000. The pass, which was introduced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari via X, will be available starting August 15, 2025.

The pass, valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first—is exclusively intended for non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans.

“The Annual Pass will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country,” Gadkari posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Important Announcement 📢

🔹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. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes…

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) June 18, 2025

The new offering is expected to substantially benefit frequent highway commuters by reducing cumulative toll payments and minimizing time spent at toll plazas. According to the Ministry, the average cost per trip under the new pass is Rs 15. In contrast, conventional toll charges can range far higher. For instance, a commuter facing an average toll fee of Rs 50 would typically spend Rs 10,000 on 200 trips—more than three times the cost of the new annual pass.

The pass will particularly benefit short-distance commuters and those living in regions where national highway toll plazas are located within a 60-kilometer radius—an issue that has long been a source of public grievance. By addressing such concerns, the policy aims to enhance both convenience and affordability for daily travelers.

The activation and renewal of the annual pass will be facilitated through a dedicated link on the Rajmarg Yatra App and the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The FASTag system, mandatory since February 2021 for toll payments on national highways, uses RFID technology to enable contactless transactions. As of March 2024, over 98% of toll fees on NH corridors were collected via FASTag. Vehicle owners can recharge their FASTag accounts through various methods, including UPI, internet banking, and card payments.