By Krishna Dua 
Seamless Journeys Await: The FASTag Annual Pass is Now Live
In a significant move to simplify highway travel and reduce the financial burden on frequent commuters, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has launched the FASTag Annual Pass on India’s 79th Independence Day. This innovative prepaid pass offers a fixed-cost solution for private vehicle owners, allowing for seamless and cashless travel on national highways and expressways. Priced at a one-time payment of ₹3,000, the pass provides a substantial benefit by covering up to 200 toll trips or remaining valid for one year from the date of activation, whichever comes first.
The introduction of this pass is set to revolutionize the way millions of Indians travel, addressing long-standing concerns about repetitive toll payments and long queues at toll plazas. It is designed to make road trips more economical and efficient, especially for daily commuters and those who frequently travel between cities.
Key Features and Benefits
- Fixed Price, Significant Savings: For a flat fee of ₹3,000, the pass offers a total of 200 toll crossings. This effectively brings the cost per toll down to an average of just ₹15, a massive saving compared to the typical toll charge of ₹80-100 per crossing. According to Minister Nitin Gadkari, this could lead to savings of up to ₹7,000 annually for a regular user.
- Validity: The pass is valid for one year from the date of activation or until the 200-trip limit is exhausted. Once either of these conditions is met, the system will automatically revert to the regular FASTag payment mode.
- Seamless Integration: The annual pass is not a new physical tag. It is a prepaid plan that is activated on your existing FASTag, as long as it is active, properly affixed, and linked to a valid Vehicle Registration Number (VRN).
- Convenience and Efficiency: The pass eliminates the need for frequent FASTag recharges and the anxiety of a low wallet balance. It ensures smoother, quicker passage at toll plazas, which will reduce congestion and save travel time.
- Exclusively for Private Vehicles: This pass is only available for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. It is not applicable to commercial vehicles, buses, or trucks.
How to Activate Your FASTag Annual Pass
Activating the FASTag Annual Pass is a straightforward digital process. Commuters can activate the pass exclusively through the official Rajmarg Yatra mobile application or the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website.
Step-by-step guide:
- Access the Platform: Download the Rajmarg Yatra app or visit the NHAI website.
- Log In and Check Eligibility: Log in using your mobile number or vehicle registration number. The system will automatically check if your FASTag is active, properly affixed, and linked to a valid VRN.
- Make the Payment: Once eligibility is confirmed, you must pay the ₹3,000 fee using a debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking. It’s important to note that you cannot use your existing FASTag wallet balance for this payment.
- Activation: After a successful payment, the annual pass will be activated on your existing FASTag, usually within two hours. You will receive an SMS confirmation once the activation is complete.
Limitations and Important Considerations
While the FASTag Annual Pass is a game-changer for many, it comes with a few key limitations:
- Coverage: The pass is only valid on toll plazas managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It does not cover state highways, city tolls, or plazas operated by state governments or local bodies.
- Non-transferable: The pass is non-transferable and is linked to the specific FASTag and vehicle on which it is registered. Using it on a different vehicle will lead to its deactivation.
- Renewal: There is no auto-renewal feature. To continue enjoying the benefits after the 200 trips or one year, users must manually re-activate the pass by repeating the payment process.
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