Big News for Indian Commuters: FASTag Annual Pass Coming August 15th
Get ready to make your highway travel smoother and more affordable! Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on June 18th that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will launch a FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles, effective August 15th.
This game-changing pass will cost ₹3,000 and be valid for one year or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. It’s designed for non-commercial private vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans, promising significant savings and reduced waiting times at toll plazas.
“This ₹3,000 pass is good for non-commercial vehicles such as automobiles, jeeps, and vans and is valid for a year or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first,” Gadkari shared on X.
For frequent travelers, this pass is a real money-saver. Imagine paying just ₹15 per toll crossing on average. If you currently spend ₹50 per crossing, this pass could save you up to ₹7,000 annually for 200 trips! Plus, it’s expected to ease congestion and minimize disputes at toll plazas, leading to a much faster and smoother travel experience.
Gadkari emphasized, “This policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction.”
Your FASTag Annual Pass Questions Answered:
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the new FASTag annual pass:
1. What exactly is FASTag? FASTag is a digital sticker you put on your vehicle that enables automatic toll payments. It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, linking to a prepaid account. You can easily recharge it via UPI apps and online portals, including the My FASTag app.
2. How much could I save with this annual pass? Priced at ₹3,000 for a year or 200 trips, you’ll effectively pay around ₹15 per crossing. If your typical toll fee is higher (e.g., ₹50), you could save up to ₹7,000 over 200 trips! The more expensive your usual tolls, the more you save.
3. Where can I get this annual pass? You can purchase the annual pass through the Rajmargyatra mobile application or the official National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website.
4. Am I eligible for the annual pass? To be eligible, your FASTag must be properly affixed to your vehicle’s windshield and linked to a valid Vehicle Registration Number. If your FASTag is blacklisted, you won’t qualify.
5. How do I activate my annual pass? You’ll need to verify your vehicle and existing FASTag. If eligible, you can activate the pass on your current FASTag by paying ₹3,000 via the Rajmargyatra app or NHAI website. Once payment is confirmed, it’s active!
6. Do I need a new FASTag for this pass? No, you can activate the annual pass on your existing FASTag, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
7. Which toll plazas are covered by the annual pass? The pass is only valid at national highway and national expressway fee plazas. It will not work on state-maintained expressways or highways.
8. Does this mean I’ll need two separate FASTags? No. While the annual pass covers national highways, your existing FASTag will still function normally on state-maintained roads, allowing you to pay tolls as usual through the same tag.
9. What happens after 200 trips, or after a year? Can I renew? Yes! The pass is valid for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes first. You can reactivate it by paying ₹3,000 again. If you don’t reactivate, your tag will revert to a regular FASTag, and standard fees will apply. If you hit 200 trips before the year is up, you can simply repurchase the pass for another ₹3,000.
10. Is this annual pass mandatory? No, it’s optional. You can continue using your FASTag for regular transactions at standard rates if you don’t opt for the annual pass.
11. Is the annual pass available for all vehicle types? No, it’s only for non-commercial private cars, jeeps, and vans. Using it in a commercial vehicle will lead to immediate deactivation.
12. How is a “trip” counted under the annual pass? On open national highways, crossing a toll plaza counts as one trip. A round trip (to and fro) counts as two trips. On closed national highways, entry and exit together count as one single trip.
13. Is the annual pass transferable? No, the annual pass is non-transferable. It’s valid only for the specific vehicle on which the FASTag is affixed and registered. Ensure your FASTag is properly affixed and linked to your Vehicle Registration Number (not just a chassis number).
Ready to experience a new level of convenience and savings on your highway journeys? Let us know if you have any more questions!