FASTag Annual Pass of Rs 3,000 can save Rs 7,000: Nitin Gadkari explains the maths

Time of India

18-06-2025

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Who will benefit most from the FASTag annual pass?
How will the FASTag Annual Pass work?
FASTag-based Annual Pass launching on August 15, 2025
Dedicated link for activation and renewal
Faster and smoother travel experience
What is FASTag?
Are there any charges to open a FASTag account?
What are the ways to recharge a FASTag account?
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass of Rs 3,000 for one year or 200 trips (whichever comes earlier) for private vehicles . The FASTag annual pass is introduced as part of a significant effort to make highway travel easier and more affordable. This will be effective from August 15, 2025.According to a social media post on X by Nitin Gadkari , Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, 'The Rs 3,000 pass is good for non-commercial vehicles such as automobiles, jeeps, and vans and is valid for a year or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first.'This annual pass will save frequent travellers a significant amount of money by replacing multiple toll payments with a single, affordable annual fee. It will work best for commuters who use national highways for a daily or regular commute within a short distance. Mainly, it reduces waiting time at toll booths, especially during peak hours or holiday seasons for private commuters.As the total cost of this annual pass is Rs 3,000 and the maximum number of toll crossings allowed under it is 200, the average cost per toll comes out to be Rs 15. So for a frequent traveller, the higher the average cost of toll in his route, the higher will be the benefit he or she will get. For instance, if the average cost of toll is Rs 50 then the traveller would have to pay Rs 10,000 for 200 toll crossings. However, with this annual pass, he can do the same with merely Rs 3,000 which saves Rs 7,000. In case, the traveller has a preferred long route which has much higher average toll fee then his/her savings will be more.According to a post on X by Nitin Gadkari, 'In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at Rs 3,000, effective from 15th August 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first—this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans.'Now travelers can get a FASTag-based Annual Pass which is priced at Rs 3,000 and will be effective from 15th August 2025. This pass will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. This pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans.'The Annual Pass will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country. A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH,' Nitin Gadgari said.Adding further, this policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction, he said.FASTag is a chip similar to the RFID tags that car companies place as a sticker on the windshield. It has all your details, which makes it easier for you to pass through a toll and pay the toll amount by scanning Code. Paying FASTag charges at any toll plaza is a contactless process. You can open a prepaid FASTag account and add money to it so that the account is usable. You can keep reloading money in this account as long as you need to, if you are going on a trip or trips that require you to pass through tolls. There will be FASTag lanes demarcated for every toll across the country.According to the ICICI Bank website, there is a charge of Rs 99.12 (including GST) on new Tag joining. However, please check with your respective bank or other entity for any charges associated with the new Tag joining.Your FASTag account can be recharged through internet banking, NEFT/RTGS, UPI, credit card, debit card, cheque and cash, as per the ICICI Bank website.