New Delhi: Starting August 15, private vehicle owners in India can opt for a new FASTag Annual Pass, a prepaid digital subscription aimed at saving money and reducing congestion at toll plazas. Announced last month by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, the annual pass has now been listed on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website, with details on eligibility, validity, and how to apply.
What is the FASTag Annual Pass?
The annual pass will be available for a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 and will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. It will be applicable only on National Highways and Expressways and will not cover state highways or toll roads under local authorities.
The Ministry claims the scheme could help users save Rs 6,000–Rs 7,000 annually, compared to regular monthly toll payments. It also aims to reduce wait times and disputes at toll booths by eliminating the need for separate monthly passes or top-ups.
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Who is eligible?
The pass is exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. Commercial vehicles, buses, and trucks are not eligible.
How to activate?
Activation can be done digitally via the Rajmarg Yatra app or through the official NHAI website. The pass will be linked to existing FASTags, so there is no need to purchase a new tag.
To activate, users need:
- An existing FASTag issued via a bank or payment app (Paytm, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, etc.)
- A registered Vehicle Registration Number (VRN). The pass will not be issued for tags with only a chassis number.
Once payment is made through the designated portal, users will receive a confirmation message and their FASTag will be upgraded to include the annual pass.
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Is it transferable?
No. The annual pass is non-transferable and will only work for the specific vehicle it is registered to.
Gadkari earlier stated that a dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be rolled out on the Rajmarg Yatra app and relevant government portals like NHAI and MoRTH.
