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The proposal envisions two new types of FASTag-linked passes – an annual pass priced at Rs 3,000 and a lifetime pass costing Rs 30,000 that would remain valid for 15 years.
Introduced in 2014, the FASTag system uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to deduct toll charges
In a bold move to modernise highway travel and reduce congestion at toll plazas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is weighing the introduction of annual and lifetime toll passes for private vehicle owners. If implemented, the scheme would mark a significant shift in how travellers access the country’s vast network of national highways and expressways.
The proposal envisions two new types of FASTag-linked passes – an annual pass priced at Rs 3,000 and a lifetime pass costing Rs 30,000 that would remain valid for 15 years. These passes promise unlimited travel across all national highways and expressways, a dramatic departure from the current system, which offers limited monthly or annual plans tied to specific toll plazas.
Unlike current options – such as a monthly Rs 340 pass valid only at a single toll gate – these new passes would be universally applicable and fully integrated into the existing FASTag infrastructure.
Introduced in 2014, the FASTag system uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to deduct toll charges directly from a driver’s linked bank account or prepaid wallet. Affixed to a vehicle’s windscreen, FASTags allow seamless passage through toll plazas without stopping, already cutting wait times and easing traffic flow.
Officials say the new passes will require no additional hardware or paperwork, relying entirely on the existing FASTag ecosystem. The integration is expected to not only make travel more convenient but also encourage greater adoption of digital tolling while helping unclog bottlenecks at toll booths.
In the financial year 2023–24, private vehicles accounted for 53% of all toll transactions but contributed just 21% (roughly Rs 8,000 crore) of the Rs 55,000 crore collected nationwide. These vehicles also made up approximately 60% of toll lane traffic during peak hours (6 am to 10 pm), highlighting the pressure private cars exert on national highway infrastructure.
Stakeholders believe the introduction of flat-rate, unlimited-use passes could not only offer better value for regular commuters but also help decongest toll plazas by speeding up transactions and reducing stop-and-go traffic.
While consultations are still underway, transport experts and commuter groups have welcomed the proposal as a potential game-changer for road mobility across the country.
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