Nitin Gadkari Launches FASTag Annual Pass at ₹3,000 to Enable Hassle-Free Highway Travel

FASTag Annual Pass


Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced a new initiative aimed at transforming how India travels on its highways — a FASTag Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000. The annual pass, designed to allow unlimited toll-free access on selected national highways, is set to make travel smoother, faster, and entirely digital for frequent highway commuters.

This bold step aligns with the government’s continued efforts to promote seamless mobility, reduce congestion at toll plazas, and accelerate the adoption of smart transportation systems across the country.

What Is the ₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass?

The newly introduced FASTag Annual Pass is a pre-paid toll solution that offers unlimited highway access on selected routes for a one-time annual fee of ₹3,000. Rather than paying tolls per trip, vehicle owners who purchase the pass can bypass regular toll charges entirely within eligible zones.

The system is especially beneficial for:

  • Daily commuters

  • Fleet operators and truck owners

  • Intercity transport providers

  • Logistics and delivery vehicles

By reducing the need for repeated toll deductions, the government aims to deliver a frictionless travel experience and minimize toll plaza congestion, especially in high-traffic corridors.

The FASTag Annual Pass offers a wide range of advantages:

  •  One-Time Payment: Pay ₹3,000 for an entire year of highway travel (valid on selected roads).

  • Unlimited Trips: No per-trip toll deductions within the valid network.

  •  Reduced Congestion: Fewer delays and faster processing at toll plazas.

  •  100% Digital Process: Buy, activate, and renew online via banks or FASTag apps.

  •  Applicable on Key Routes: Valid on select national highways and expressways (list to be notified).

Why the Government Introduced This Pass

In recent years, FASTag adoption has surged, with over 8 crore users and toll collections crossing ₹5,000 crore monthly. However, issues like manual tolling in peak hours, vehicle verification delays, and high-frequency user frustration continue to persist.

Speaking at the announcement, Gadkari emphasized the government’s commitment to “Zero Stop” travel on Indian highways:

“This annual pass is a step toward India’s future of cashless, queue-free highway experiences. It will benefit both private vehicle owners and transport businesses by saving time and money,” said Gadkari.

A Step Toward GPS-Based Tolling

The ₹3,000 annual pass is also viewed as a transitional model as the government prepares to roll out GPS-based tolling nationwide. The GPS system would allow for distance-based toll collection, eliminating toll booths altogether.

Until that becomes mainstream, the annual FASTag pass offers an effective interim solution for digital tolling at scale.

Availability and How to Apply

The FASTag Annual Pass will be rolled out in a phased manner, starting with select high-traffic national highways. A complete list of applicable roads will be released soon by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

How to apply:

  • Through official FASTag issuer banks (e.g., ICICI, HDFC, SBI, Axis)

  • Via the NHAI website and partner digital wallets

  • Using FASTag-enabled mobile apps

Once issued, the pass is linked to your vehicle’s FASTag ID and can be renewed online every year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible to buy the FASTag Annual Pass?
Any private or commercial vehicle owner with a valid FASTag can apply for the annual pass, especially if they use national highways frequently.
2. Is the ₹3,000 pass valid on all highways in India?
No. The pass will be valid only on specified national highways and expressways as notified by the government.
3. How can I purchase the annual FASTag pass?
It can be purchased through FASTag partner banks, digital wallets, mobile apps, and the official NHAI portal.
4. Can the annual pass be transferred to another vehicle?
No. The pass is non-transferable and is linked to the registered FASTag and vehicle number.
5. Will I need to pay anything extra during the year?
For the selected routes, there will be no additional toll charges once the annual fee is paid. For roads outside the pass network, regular FASTag charges may apply.

A Game-Changer for Indian Highways

Nitin Gadkari’s announcement of a ₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass is a powerful step toward making Indian highways more efficient, eco-friendly, and digitally advanced. Whether you’re a long-distance traveler or a daily highway commuter, this pass is expected to save both time and money — while paving the way for a future-ready transport system.