Revolutionizing Highway Travel: New Rs. 3,000 FASTag Annual Pass Promises Savings and Convenience for Commuters

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) revealed a new annual pass based on FASTag as a budget-friendly and efficient travel option for regular travelers. This initiative is specifically for non-commercial personal vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and vans. The introduction of this pass aims to alleviate the inconvenience of recurring toll charges on highways. The activation, renewal, and other related services will be managed through the Rajmarg Yatra App along with NHAI and other official portals.

Pricing and Validity of the Fastag-based Annual Pass

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, disclosed that the FASTag-based annual pass will cost Rs. 3,000. This pass will remain valid for either 200 trips or one year from the date of activation, depending on which comes first.

The minister clarified that passing through one toll booth will count as one trip, meaning the annual pass will apply to 200 toll plazas. Services like activation and renewal of the FASTag-based pass will be accessible through the Rajmarg Yatra app and the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH.

“This initiative addresses long-standing issues concerning toll booths located within a 60 km radius and simplifies the toll payment process with a single, economical transaction,” stated the minister.

The minister emphasized that the newly implemented system is a more economical option. The current average toll charge is approximately Rs. 80-100, but with the FASTag-based annual pass, it will drop to merely Rs. 15. Additionally, travelers could save up to Rs. 7,000 in toll fees, according to Gadkari in a follow-up video shared on X.

Nonetheless, this pass will only be applicable on national highways and will not extend to state highways. Moreover, it remains unclear whether the FASTag-based pass will facilitate toll transactions on expressways.

In conjunction with the FASTag-based annual pass, the government plans to introduce an innovative solution that will eliminate the necessity for physical toll booths. This will be replaced by a new system aimed at decreasing wait times, alleviating congestion, and minimizing disputes at the toll collection points.

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