In a significant milestone for India’s toll collection system, the FASTag Annual Pass has surpassed 50 lakh users and processed over 26 crore transactions within just six months of its launch. This breakthrough is being hailed as a game-changer for both daily commuters and the National Highway network.
The FASTag Annual Pass, which is applicable across 1,150 fee plazas on National Highways and Expressways, eliminates the hassle of frequently recharging FASTags. By offering a one-time payment of Rs 3,000 for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings, the pass provides a fixed, stress-free toll expense, allowing for smoother and more predictable travel experiences. This convenience is particularly beneficial for frequent highway travelers, who no longer have to worry about managing their toll payments or reloading their FASTag balance.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has shared that approximately 28% of all car transactions on National Highways now utilize the Annual Pass. Region-wise data highlights Chandigarh as the leader in usage, contributing 14% of the total Annual Pass transactions, followed by Tamil Nadu and Delhi at 12.3% and 11.5%, respectively.
Bijwasan Fee Plaza in Delhi NCR has emerged as the busiest location, with around 57% of crossings being made using the Annual Pass. Other prominent fee plazas, such as Mundaka and Jhinjholi in Delhi NCR and Sonipat, are also witnessing high adoption rates, further underlining the growing acceptance of this toll system.
The Annual Pass works by linking directly to an existing FASTag on a vehicle, activated within two hours of payment via the Rajmargyatra App or the NHAI website. This seamless integration means that travelers no longer need to worry about reloading their tags for each journey. Furthermore, the fixed annual fee converts previously unpredictable toll costs into a reliable, manageable cost.
“The rapid adoption of the FASTag Annual Pass reflects its effectiveness in simplifying and making toll payments more economical for National Highway users. This initiative is a step forward in enhancing travel experiences on India’s highways,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry.
The positive response from users and the growing uptake of the FASTag Annual Pass further indicate a shift towards more efficient, automated solutions in the country’s toll collection system. As adoption continues to rise, this initiative promises to play a key role in the evolution of India’s transportation infrastructure, fostering smoother and faster commutes for millions of drivers nationwide.
