What is the new Rs 3,000 FASTag annual pass for cars?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- FASTag annual pass costs Rs 3,000.
- Valid for one year or 200 trips.
- Designed for non-commercial private vehicles.
- Streamlines toll payments across National Highways.
- Reduces congestion and wait times at toll plazas.
New Delhi, June 18 (NationPress) The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, revealed on Wednesday the introduction of a FASTag-based annual pass priced at Rs 3,000 for cars, effective from August 15 this year. He described this initiative as “a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel.”
This annual pass will be valid for a year from the activation date or up to 200 trips, whichever occurs first, and is tailored specifically for non-commercial private vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and vans.
The pass will facilitate seamless and economical travel across National Highways nationwide. An activation and renewal link will be available soon on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH, Gadkari noted.
This initiative aims to resolve longstanding issues related to toll plazas within a 60-km radius and simplifies toll payments through a single, low-cost transaction. By cutting down wait times and easing congestion, this annual pass aspires to provide a quicker and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners, he added.
Additionally, the average annual construction of National Highways has surged by an impressive 130 percent from 2014-2024 compared to the previous decade from 2004-2014. This has resulted in a total of 1,01,900 km of national highways constructed in the last ten years, Gadkari recently informed Parliament.
Currently, there are 1,366 projects spanning approximately 32,366 km under construction across the nation, including in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and all North-Eastern States, without reaching various stages of project completion and excluding those under consideration for termination. Most of these projects are expected to be completed in phases by the Financial Year 2028.
The length of India’s national highways network has grown by 60 percent from 91,287 km to 1,46,204 km over the last decade, with the pace of highway construction accelerating to 34 km/day from 11.6 km/day in 2014. The Centre's investment in road infrastructure has increased by 6.4 times from 2013-14 to 2024-25. Furthermore, the road transport and highway budget has surged by 570 percent from 2014 to 2023-24, according to the latest government data.