Nitin Gadkari Introduces Annual Fastag Pass for Private Cars: 200 Toll Crossings at Rs 3,000
The Indian government is set to roll out a new Fastag-based annual pass for private vehicles starting 15 August. This move aims to reduce waiting times and disputes at toll booths, especially on busy highways and national expressways.
According to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, private car owners can soon buy a yearly pass for Rs 3,000. This pass will allow up to 200 toll crossings nationwide within a year, covering non-commercial cars, SUVs, and jeeps. Commercial vehicles remain outside the scope of this scheme.
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What Is the New FASTag Annual Pass?
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, confirmed the plan in a recent video message. He said the scheme directly addresses rising toll expenses and long queues at toll plazas.
With this pass, private car owners — including cars, SUVs, and jeeps — can travel on National Highways and select expressways under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) without paying separate tolls each time.
The pass will not apply to commercial vehicles, trucks, or buses. It also does not cover local and state toll roads, or closed toll routes like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.
Where Will the Fastag Pass Be Valid?
This pass will be accepted only on National Highways and select expressways under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). State and local toll roads, as well as closed toll systems like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, will charge per trip as usual. However, the pass aims to bring relief on most open toll systems where repeat trips are common.
Key Benefits and How It Works
Vehicle owners who regularly commute for work or leisure on highways will benefit the most. The government estimates the pass will cover average daily commuters who make up to 200 trips in a year.
Once a vehicle crosses the 200-trip limit, toll charges will revert to the regular rates. For context, a typical car that crosses a toll 50 times a month may save over Rs 10,000 annually with this pass compared to paying per trip.
महत्वपूर्ण घोषणा। 📢
एक ऐतिहासिक पहल के तहत, 15 अगस्त 2025 से ₹3,000 की कीमत वाला FASTag आधारित वार्षिक पास शुरू किया जा है। यह पास सक्रिय होने की तिथि से एक वर्ष तक या 200 यात्राओं तक, जो भी पहले हो, वैध रहेगा।
यह पास केवल गैर-व्यावसायिक निजी वाहनों (कार, जीप, वैन आदि) के लिए…
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) June 18, 2025
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How to Get the Annual Pass
Motorists can purchase and activate the pass through the Rajmarg Yatra App, or by registering on the official NHAI or Ministry of Road Transport and Highways websites. Existing Fastag users do not need a new tag but must link the pass to their registered Fastag account for it to work.
Points to Remember
- Only private, non-commercial vehicles are eligible.
- Valid on national highways and select expressways only.
- Closed toll networks and city entry points will continue to charge per trip.
- The pass is valid for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes first.
- If you exhaust the limit early, normal toll rates apply after the 200th crossing.
Where Is the Pass Valid?
The annual pass will be valid only on National Highways and select NHAI-managed expressways. Local toll roads and some city toll points will continue normal per-trip charges. This is because the Centre can only decide rules for national highways, not for state or private toll roads.
The government said the pass is designed for open toll systems where vehicles frequently cross the same booths multiple times a month.
Additional Benefits for Drivers
Besides saving money, the pass helps reduce fuel waste and cuts waiting time at toll booths. Drivers won’t need to top up their balance frequently or worry about low FASTag funds.
Minister Gadkari also mentioned that the government is planning more technology upgrades to remove physical toll stops altogether in the future.
A lifetime toll pass is also being considered, which could offer even greater convenience for regular highway users.
What Should Drivers Do Now?
The new pass goes live on 15 August 2025. Officials advise regular commuters to register early through the app or websites. The government expects high demand, especially from daily commuters and small business owners.
For more details, drivers can check the Rajmarg Yatra App or visit the official NHAI and MoRTH portals.
