To modernize the travel and improve the toll collection system, the government has been working consistently on making changes that faster and smoothen the travel. The government is planning to add a plan under the FASTag regime to reduce congestion and travel costs.
Nitin Gadkari, the Union Road Transport Minister, has announced a special initiative, a bold step to make highway travel more convenient and cost-effective for daily commutes with the introduction of the FASTag Yearly Pass.
This blog will discuss the FASTag service, the yearly pass system, the benefits, and the charges we will be paying to avail its advantages.
What is FASTag?
FASTag is a revolutionary method to make your journey hassle-free with proper streamlining of payments across India. This method uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, a small tag on your vehicle’s windshield communicates with toll plaza scanners to deduct toll charges automatically from a linked prepaid account.
It was introduced by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and managed by the Indian Highway Management Company Limited (IHMCL), and now it has become compulsory for all four-wheelers and above (class M and N vehicles), as per the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. Currently, it’s operational at over 750 toll plazas, covering all national highways and many state highways.
The government’s proposal under the New Toll Collection Regime
The Indian government is set to launch the FASTag Yearly Pass to make highway travel more convenient and cost-effective. As announced earlier by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, this initiative will include two exciting options.
Annual Toll Pass: For just ₹3,000, you get unlimited access to all national highways and expressways for a full year.
Lifetime Toll Pass: For ₹30,000, you can enjoy the same benefits for 15 years, perfect for those who travel more often.
However, recently, the news sparked that the government has dropped the idea of Lifetime Toll Pass and will focus on Annual Toll Pass to streamline the toll collection process. Now, it has been proposed that the Yearly FASTag Pass will offer two payment options to further ease the life of frequent travelers.
The two payment options currently under consideration for the new FASTag Policy are:
Annual Toll Pass: This will allow yearly unlimited access to the highways and expressways at just ₹3,000. This highly caters to frequent travelers.
Distance-based Pricing: Under this payment option, the less-frequent travelers are served. This is more of a “Pay as You Travel” approach. This will charge ₹50 for every 100 km.
Let’s step ahead and get a complete insight into this forward-looking approach of travel.
What is the FASTag Yearly Pass?
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the Indian government is considering the introduction of an annual FASTag-based toll pass priced at ₹3,000. Gadkari further emphasized that private vehicles contribute only 26% to the total toll revenue, with the remaining 74% coming from commercial vehicles.
A yearly FASTag Pass will permit travelers to zoom through the national highways, expressways and state expressways seamlessly by paying a lump sum amount of ₹3,000. This single payment per year allows travelers to avail the perk of unrestricted use of the pass.
This new proposal is believed to be launch in favour of the frequent travelers, including the commuters and transporters.
Key Features
Below are some of the key features of the annual FASTag Pass:
Zero Additional Documentation.
Unlimited travel for a full year.
Update to Yearly FASTag Pass through your existing account.
Non-transferable.
Exclusive to private cars, not commercial vehicles.
Seamless integration with the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) system.
Additionally, the government is also working on implementing barrier-free toll systems using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, which would allow for seamless toll collection without the need for physical booths leading to barrier-free travel experience.
What documents will be required to get an Annual FASTag Pass?
Documentation at times becomes quite hectic, particularly when it comes to switching to a modern approach from the old ones.
But the launch of the annual FASTag Pass holds the best part. What’s that?
These passes integrate seamlessly with your existing FASTag. No new devices or additional paperwork are needed—just activate the pass through your existing FASTag account, and you’re good to go.
This integration leverages the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) system, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), ensuring interoperability across toll plazas nationwide.
Benefits of the Annual Toll Pass
This Yearly FASTag Pass is a game-changer for frequent travelers, offering a host of advantages:
Cost Savings: For daily commuters, the pass can save thousands annually compared to regular toll payments.
Time Efficiency & Convenience: Skip the hassle of recharging your FASTag or waiting at toll booths, ensuring faster commutes. A one-time payment covers a year’s worth of tolls, reducing the need for frequent top-ups
Reduced Congestion: Encourages more drivers to use FASTag, easing traffic at toll plazas.
Eco-Friendly: Fewer stops mean lower fuel consumption and emissions, supporting greener travel.
Eliminates the Hassle of Tracking Charges Deduction: Unlike the earlier approach, travelers with the yearly pass need not keep track of every single deduction after they cross a toll plaza.
Reduced or Zero Wrong FASTag Deductions: It is also anticipated that this policy will help in eradicating the chances of wrong toll charges deduction, aiding better transportation with reduced hassles.
How Does It Stack Up?
To understand the value of the yearly pass, let’s compare it to the current options.
Right now, monthly toll passes are available for around ₹340, but they’re limited to a radius of 20 km of a single toll plaza. If you travel through multiple plazas, you’d need separate passes, which can get expensive. For one toll plaza, a year’s worth of monthly passes would cost ₹4,080 (12 x ₹340). This, in simple terms, means that a monthly pass is location-based.
The monthly FASTag pass can be easily accessed through the IHMCL portal.
In contrast, the annual pass covers all national highways, expressways for ₹3,000—a clear win for frequent travelers.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Pass Type | Cost (INR) | Validity | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Toll Pass | 3,000 | 1 year | Unlimited travel on all NH and expressways |
| Monthly Pass | 340 | 1 month | Valid for one toll plaza only (limited to certain radius) |
| Annual Monthly Pass (Single Plaza) | 4,080 | 1 year | Valid for one toll plaza only (limited to certain radius) |
Valid for one toll plaza only (limited to certain radius)
The FASTag annual pass is a no-brainer for anyone who crosses multiple toll plazas regularly. The lifetime pass, while a larger upfront investment, could be a smart choice for younger drivers or those planning to travel extensively over the next decade and a half.
Who Will Benefit?
The FASTag Annual Pass is designed with a wide range of drivers in mind and will favour the following travelers:
Frequent Travelers: If you’re zipping between cities for work or leisure, this pass will save you time and money.
Long-Distance Commuters: Daily or weekly commuters on highways will love the convenience of not worrying about toll payments.
Tourists and Road Trippers: Planning to explore India’s diverse landscapes by car? The pass lets you focus on the journey, not the tolls.
Business Travelers: Sales representatives, delivery drivers, or anyone crisscrossing the country for work will find this pass a game-changer.
How to Get Your FASTag Yearly Pass
The date of the implementation of the FASTag annual pass hasn’t been rolled out yet. But, travelers have their eyes on how they can get the yearly FASTag pass. Though, application for the FASTag Yearly Pass Online is expected to be a straightforward process, ensuring accessibility for all FASTag users.
However, if you are looking for how to get FASTag, here are the precised actions to be taken:
Visit the official NHAI FASTag portal, or the FASTag issuing bank’s website (e.g., ICICI, HDFC), or the Park+ app for FASTag purchase.
Enter your vehicle registration number and registered mobile number.
Pay the fees involved in getting the FASTag using UPI, credit/debit card, net banking, or other supported payment options.
You’ll then receive a confirmation via SMS or email for reference.
The FASTag will be delivered to your provided address.
After activating the tag, you can do FASTag online recharge for up to 5 years (till the validity of the FASTag) for paying the toll charges.
Further, if you face any query in using the tag or have any other problem, reach out to the FASTag customer care number of the tag issuing body for quick resolution.
When will the Annual Toll Pass be Operational?
To date, no official announcements have been made for the implementation of the FASTag yearly pass, and the confirmation of this proposed plan continues to wait. Till then, the speculations regarding its implementation are being made, while the exact date remains under wraps, everyone is awaiting for the final approval.
The exact rollout date for the implementation of the Yearly FASTag Pass is expected to be announced soon by MoRTH down the road. This change is ensured to achieve better monitoring, faster processing, and reduced fraudulent usage, making the system more transparent and user-friendly.
Also Read --> How to Check FASTag KYC Status?
Conclusion
This new initiative, FASTag Yearly Pass, is introduced to transform highway travel in India. Either you pay ₹3,000 a year or choose to go with a monthly pass, it’s your choice. Also, online platforms are anticipated to support this modern travel approach to enhance accessibility, supporting the FASTag Yearly Pass Online, while updated FASTag rules ensure a smoother, more transparent system. Till then, observers are waiting for an official announcement and have their eyes wide open on the implementation of this proposed plan, as the actual timeline is unclear for now.
Disclaimer:
The content of the yearly FASTag pass is intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the details shared may change due to policy updates, regulatory changes, or technical adjustments. The proposal for the FASTag Yearly Pass is still under consideration and waiting for the final approval from the Government authorities. It is expected that the government will soon make an official announcement regarding the same; until then, there is no change in the existing FASTag regime. Readers are advised to exercise discretion when acting on the information.