₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass Launched: 200 Toll-Free Crossings on National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India has introduced a prepaid FASTag Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, offering up to 200 toll-free crossings on National Highways and National Expressways for private vehicles over a one-year period. Rolled out to coincide with Independence Day, the pass targets frequent intercity commuters and aims to streamline tolling, cut queue times, and provide predictable travel costs.

Key Details at a Glance

• Price and cap: ₹3,000 for a maximum of 200 toll plaza crossings; validity ends on reaching the cap or after one year, whichever occurs first.
• Coverage: Applicable across National Highway and National Expressway toll plazas; state and private concessions may not be covered unless explicitly notified.
• Vehicle category: Private, non-commercial vehicles (cars/jeeps/vans) only; commercial categories remain outside the scheme.
• Activation: Linked to an existing, active FASTag with complete KYC; purchase and activation are available via official portals and recognized issuer channels.
• Post-expiry: After 200 crossings or one year, the FASTag automatically reverts to pay-per-use; no automatic renewal is enabled.

How It Works

The annual pass functions as a prepaid entitlement tied to the vehicle’s FASTag. Once activated, toll deductions are suppressed at eligible plazas until the 200-crossing limit is exhausted or the one-year validity ends. The system is vehicle-specific and non-transferable. Authorities emphasize accurate RC mapping, KYC completion, and tag health to avoid blacklisting or plaza-side acceptance issues.

What Exactly Is the ₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass?

• A prepaid pass linked to an active FASTag that allows up to 200 toll plaza crossings nationwide on NH/NE in a 1-year window, whichever occurs first.
• Available only to non-commercial private vehicles; commercial and yellow-board vehicles are excluded.
• Works across all National Highway and National Expressway toll plazas under NHAI/MoRTH; after expiry, the tag resumes normal pay-per-use deductions automatically.

“Priced at ₹3,000, the pass will allow up to 200 toll crossings or remain valid for one year from activation, whichever comes first.”

Start Date, Eligibility, and Core Rules

• Start date: August 15, 2025 (Independence Day).
• Eligibility: Owners of private, non-commercial vehicles with a valid, functional FASTag and RC details correctly updated; chassis-only registrations are not eligible.
• Validity: 1 year from activation or 200 crossings, whichever is earlier; after that, regular FASTag billing resumes.
• Coverage: National Highways and National Expressways toll plazas; state or private toll roads are outside the scope unless explicitly notified.

How to Buy and Activate

• Official channels: NHAI website and Rajmarg Yatra app for activation; purchasing can be done online via NHAI/MoRTH platforms, Rajmarg Yatra, and partner issuers like Paytm Payments Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank.
• Process: Log in with registered mobile/FASTag details, select Annual Pass, pay ₹3,000 via UPI/net banking/card, and wait for activation (typically within 2 hours after verification).
• Documentation: RC, passport-size photograph, KYC as per category, and valid identity/address proof during application.

Industry analysts view the offering as a targeted relief for commuters who cross one or more National Highway toll points daily—especially those with regular round trips between satellite towns and metro hubs. At the cap, the effective per-crossing cost drops dramatically compared with typical toll rates, making the economics compelling for high-frequency users. Experts caution occasional highway travelers to assess likely annual crossings before opting in, as the fixed fee could exceed standard toll outlay for low-usage patterns.

Adoption and User Experience

Early guidance highlights a straightforward onboarding flow: verify FASTag status and KYC, select the Annual Pass option through official apps or portals, pay the fixed fee, and await activation confirmation—often completed within a short processing window. Commuters are advised to keep activation proof handy for initial trips, monitor crossing counts via issuer dashboards, and plan renewals around high-travel periods.

Policy Context

The launch aligns with India’s broader push toward frictionless, digital tolling. Authorities have indicated parallel efforts exploring barrier-free models and future distance-based pricing, with the annual pass positioned as a practical, transitional instrument that enhances throughput at plazas and reduces emissions from idling queues.

Practical Pointers for Motorists

• Ensure the FASTag is active, mapped to the correct RC, and fully KYC-compliant before purchasing.
• Confirm eligibility: private vehicle class only; commercial categories are excluded.
• Track usage regularly to avoid unexpected expiries near holidays or long trips.
• In the event of equipment failure at a toll lane, keep activation proof and escalate via official helplines if required.

For frequent National Highway users in private vehicles, the ₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass offers predictable, potentially substantial savings and smoother passage through toll plazas. For occasional drivers, conventional pay-per-use FASTag may remain the more economical choice. As authorities expand digital tolling infrastructure, the scheme is expected to support reduced congestion and faster commutes across major corridors.