Nitin Gadkari brings a simple solution to save toll money and cut highway stress.
What’s the News?
If you own a car and use highways often, here’s something that could save you time and money. On August 15, 2025, the government will launch a FASTag-based annual pass for private vehicles. The pass will cost ₹3,000 and will be valid for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes first.
This isn’t just another update. It’s a move that can reduce your yearly toll expenses by more than half — and make long drives smoother than ever.
Who’s Behind This Idea?
This step is introduced by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. He’s been vocal about modernising India’s road systems — and with this move, he’s focusing on people who regularly use highways but don’t drive commercial vehicles.
His goal? Make travel simpler, cheaper, and faster for the everyday car owner.
Why Does It Matter?
Let’s break it down. If you’re a regular highway user, you probably pay anywhere between ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 a year just on tolls. Now, imagine getting unlimited access (up to 200 trips) for ₹3,000.
That’s a straight ₹5,000–₹7,000 saved, no small deal. But it’s not just about saving money.
With this pass:
- You won’t need to stop at every toll booth
- You’ll avoid long queues
- There will be fewer disputes over payments
- And your road trips will just feel easier
It’s convenience and savings, bundled into one.
Who Can Use This FASTag Pass?
This pass is made for private, non-commercial vehicles — like your family car, a jeep, or a van used for personal travel. Commercial vehicles, taxis, or trucks are not eligible. It’s also important to know where it works.
The pass will be valid only on:
- National highways
- Central government expressways
That means it won’t be accepted on:
- State highways
- Private toll roads
So if your daily route involves central highways, this pass will help. If not, it may have limited use.
How to Get the Pass?
The government plans to keep the process simple. You don’t need to buy a new FASTag. You can use your existing FASTag and link the annual pass to it.
Activation will be available online through:
- The Rajmarg Yatra app
- The NHAI website
- The MoRTH website
No paperwork. No office visits. Just log in and activate. And if you already use FASTag, it’s just a matter of adding the pass.
Solving an Ongoing Problem
This move also addresses a significant issue for people who live near toll plazas, especially those within a 60 km radius. Let’s say you cross a toll booth two or three times a day for work or errands. You still pay every time, and that adds up fast.
Gadkari mentioned that this new pass will make life easier for such users. Instead of paying multiple times a day, one pass takes care of it all. No more double charges. No more explaining at the booth. Just smooth travel.
FASTag Is Already Common — This Will Make It Even Bigger
According to the ministry, over 10 crore FASTags had already been issued by December 2024. With this pass, more people may see FASTag as not just a payment tool, but a cost-saving solution too.
It encourages more users to go digital, and reduces cash use at tolls — something the government has been pushing for.
What’s Next?
The FASTag annual pass will be available from August 15, 2025. If you’re someone who drives long distances often — or even daily — this could be a big win. It brings together everything highway users want: less cost, fewer delays, and less stress.
Final Word
This is more than just a pass — it’s a sign of how travel in India is changing. Nitin Gadkari’s plan aims to make road trips simpler for private vehicle owners, not more complicated. If you’re a frequent highway user, this ₹3,000 pass might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Raja Yadav, the content writer at My Car Wisdom, brings a unique voice and style to our blog. With a knack for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Raja ensures that every piece of content is informative, engaging, and easy to understand. His focus is on delivering high-quality articles that cater to both novice car owners and seasoned automotive enthusiasts.
