Centre Introduces ?3,000 FASTag Annual Pass for Private Vehicles to Ease Highway Travel

New Delhi – Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday announced the launch of a FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles, priced at ?3,000. The initiative, set to roll out from August 15, is aimed at making highway travel more seamless and hassle-free.

Calling it a “transformative step,” Gadkari said the annual pass will be valid for one year from activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. It is exclusively designed for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans.

The pass will facilitate smooth and cost-effective travel across all National Highways in India. A dedicated link for activation and renewal will be made available soon on the Rajmarg Yatra App, as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH.

Gadkari emphasized that this initiative addresses a long-pending issue related to toll plazas located within a 60 km range, and simplifies toll payments with a single, upfront payment. The annual pass is expected to reduce congestion, waiting times, and disputes at toll booths, leading to a more efficient travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners.

Massive Growth in Highway Infrastructure
Gadkari also highlighted the remarkable expansion in India's road infrastructure over the past decade:

• 130% increase in the average annual construction of National Highways from 2014 to 2024 compared to the previous decade (2004–2014).
• 1,01,900 km of national highways constructed in the last 10 years.
• Currently, 1,366 highway projects covering about 32,366 km are under construction across the country, including in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and all Northeastern states. Most are expected to be completed in phases by FY 2028.
• The total length of the national highway network has expanded by 60%, from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,204 km in 2024.
• The pace of construction has tripled from 11.6 km/day in 2014 to 34 km/day now.
• Central government investment in road infrastructure has increased 6.4 times since 2013–14, with a 570% rise in the road transport and highways budget between 2014 and 2023–24.

With inputs from IANS