Business Desk – Union minister Nitin Gadkari just dropped a highway bombshell (a good one, don’t worry) – a FASTag-based annual pass is coming your way from August 15, 2025, and it’s going to save your wallet some serious fuel!
What’s the Deal?
- ₹3,000 annual pass = 200 toll plaza crossings
- Valid for non-commercial private vehicles only – so cars, jeeps, vans.
- No trucks, buses, or that “friend’s” car you only use for shifting furniture.
Regular toll cost: ₹50 per trip
New cost with this pass: ₹15 per trip
Total savings: Up to ₹7,000/year. That’s basically your chai-pakoda budget and your Netflix subscription!
Key Dates & Details
Launch: August 15, 2025
Validity: One year or 200 trips, whichever comes first. (No cheating – yes, round trip = two trips.)
Works only on National Highways & Expressways. State roads? Sorry, back to regular toll drama.
Got FASTag Already?
Great! You don’t need a new one. Just:
Make sure it’s stuck properly.
- It’s linked to your car.
- And it’s not blacklisted (yes, your FASTag has a reputation too).
You’ll activate the pass via the Rajmarg Yatra App or NHAI/MoRTH websites. Easy peasy!
Is It Mandatory?
Nope. Totally optional. You can still pay tolls the old-fashioned FASTag way if you enjoy watching your balance vanish faster than your weekend.
Why This Pass?
Gadkari said it’s to fix the “why-are-there-3-tolls-in-60-km” problem and make highways less stressful, more seamless, and wallet-friendly.
