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Context:
In a bid to enhance seamless highway travel, the Union Minister for Road Transport has announced the rollout of a FASTag-based annual pass starting August 15, 2025. This initiative targets private non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, and aims to streamline toll payments and cut congestion across India’s national highway network.
What is FASTag?
- Technology: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based electronic toll collection system.
- Launched: Pilot in 2014 on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor.
- Mandatory Since: February 15, 2021, for all four-wheelers in India.
- Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
- Implementing Body: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
- How It Works: A FASTag sticker is affixed to the vehicle’s windshield and linked to a prepaid wallet or bank account. Tolls are auto-deducted as the vehicle crosses a toll plaza.
What is the FASTag-Based Annual Pass?
The annual pass is a prepaid tolling solution for frequent highway travelers using non-commercial private vehicles.
Key Features:
- Prepaid Value: ₹3,000.
- Validity: 1 year from activation or 200 national highway trips — whichever is earlier.
- Activation: Via Rajmarg Yatra app and NHAI/MoRTH official websites.
- Target Users: Private vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans (non-commercial only).
- Applicability: Especially useful for short trips on stretches with less than 60 km between toll plazas.
