FASTag Annual Pass: Valid Only on NHAI Highways, Not on State Routes Like Samruddhi Expressway, Atal Setu and Mumbai-Pune Expressway
FASTag Annual Pass: Valid Only on NHAI Highways, Not on State Routes Like Samruddhi Expressway, Atal Setu and Mumbai-Pune Expressway
New FASTag-based annual pass to roll out from August 15; applicable only on NHAI-operated highways and expressways
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a new FASTag-based annual pass, set to be available from August 15, 2025. Priced at ₹3,000, this pass is designed to simplify toll payments and allow smoother travel for private non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. However, its use comes with strict limitations.
The most notable restriction is that the annual pass will be valid only on highways and expressways operated by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It will not be accepted on routes maintained by state governments, significantly narrowing its applicability, particularly in states like Maharashtra.
In Maharashtra, the pass will be valid at only 18 out of 87 toll plazas. It will not be accepted on major state-run expressways such as the Samruddhi Highway, Atal Setu, or other state highways and toll roads. This has led to criticism that the pass may not offer much value to many citizens in the state.
Additionally, the pass comes with conditions. A minimum balance of ₹200 must always be maintained in the FASTag account, and the ₹3,000 fee is non-refundable. If the user doesn’t travel frequently enough on NHAI routes, the investment in the pass may go unused.
The pass will be linked to the vehicle’s existing RFID-based FASTag and will activate automatically when the vehicle comes within 60 km of an eligible NHAI toll plaza. It is non-transferable, and vehicles with FASTags registered only on their chassis numbers will not be eligible.
The pass can be applied for via the Highway Travel App, NHAI’s official website, and the Ministry of Transport website. A dedicated link for activation is expected to be released soon.
While the initiative aims to ease long-distance highway travel, its limited applicability has raised questions about its usefulness, especially for those who primarily travel on state-managed routes.
