Things to know about the FASTag annual pass | Fusion - WeRIndia

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced the launch of a FASTag-based Annual Pass for private vehicle owners across India.

Priced at ₹3,000, the pass will be enforced starting August 15, 2025, and aims to make national highway travel smoother, quicker, and more affordable.

Key Features of the FASTag Annual Pass:

• Up to 200 toll-free trips on national highways per year.
• Valid for one year from the date of activation.
• Designed to benefit frequent travellers and reduce travel costs.

This scheme is a significant move towards enhancing the ease of travel for private vehicle owners who often face toll charges every 60 kilometres on national highways.

City-Specific Toll Dynamics:

Mumbai

• Major toll plazas include Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Dahisar, Mulund, Airoli, and the Coastal Road.
• Toll charges range from ₹45 to ₹500, depending on the vehicle and distance.
• Since September 2023, light motor vehicles entering Mumbai via five key entry points are exempted from tolls, helping to reduce traffic and pollution.

Bengaluru

• Toll plazas like Nelamangala, Devanahalli, and Somanahalli surround the city.
• Rates vary from ₹65 to ₹400.
• Return trip discounts and monthly passes help reduce costs for daily commuters.

Chennai

• Important toll points include Paranur, Vanagaram, and Surapattu.
• Basic one-way trips average ₹115, while monthly rates can go up to ₹4,000.

Kolkata & Delhi

• These cities have no tolls within city limits, but several toll plazas operate on surrounding highways and expressways.

Hyderabad

• Toll charges apply on roads like the Outer Ring Road with plazas such as Panthangi and Kadthal.
• Prices depend on vehicle type and trip type (single/return).

Please note that the FASTag Annual Pass is applicable only on National Highways and Expressways.

It does not cover toll roads managed by state authorities or those within city limits.

The FASTag annual pass is a welcome step for highway commuters, offering financial relief and convenience.

However, those commuting within city toll zones will still need to pay standard charges.

Image Credit: Govt of India, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fastag-logo.png