Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a transformative proposal that could revolutionize highway travel across India. The government is planning to introduce a ₹3,000 annual FASTag pass, which would allow unlimited travel on over 200 National Highways — a move aimed at making road travel more affordable and efficient for frequent commuters and transporters.
What Is the ₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass?
As part of the government’s efforts to improve toll collection systems and reduce travel costs, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is exploring the introduction of an annual subscription-based FASTag model. Under this plan, users will be able to pay ₹3,000 per year for unlimited access to around 200 selected national highways, bypassing the need to pay toll charges each time they travel.
What Nitin Gadkari Said
Speaking at a recent public event, Minister Nitin Gadkari said:
He emphasized that this model aims to increase compliance, reduce traffic congestion, and bring uniformity to toll collections. The FASTag system, which is already mandatory on national highways, has seen wide adoption, and this plan builds further on that digital foundation.
Key Highlights of the New FASTag Annual Pass
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Subscription Cost | ₹3,000 annually |
| Coverage | 200+ selected National Highways |
| Benefit | Unlimited travel on covered routes |
| Target Users | Daily commuters, logistics operators, transporters |
| Technology | FASTag-linked prepaid system |
Benefits of the ₹3,000 FASTag Plan
1. Cost-Effective for Regular Travellers
For those who travel daily or frequently on national highways, this fixed annual fee could result in massive savings.
2. Boost to Logistics and Transport
This plan can drastically cut operational costs for logistics firms and transport operators, improving supply chain efficiency.
3. Ease of Use
Instead of multiple toll deductions and balance tracking, a single subscription ensures smooth, uninterrupted travel.
4. Less Congestion at Toll Plazas
Prepaid annual passes can help reduce delays at toll booths by eliminating per-transaction processing.
Implementation Timeline
While the proposal is currently under review, sources indicate that the plan could be rolled out later in 2025, once the digital framework and highway selection are finalized. NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) is expected to coordinate the execution.
Challenges to Address
- Ensuring fair selection of the 200+ highways
- Avoiding misuse of the unlimited travel pass
- Creating digital infrastructure for seamless subscription management
- Addressing private concessionaire agreements on certain highways
FASTag: A Growing Digital Toll System
FASTag, launched by the government in 2016, is a radio frequency identification (RFID) based toll collection system that has now become mandatory on all national highways. With over 6 crore FASTags issued and daily toll collections exceeding ₹150 crore, the system has greatly improved transparency and efficiency.
How This Plan Aligns with Government Vision
This initiative aligns with the broader goal of:
- Reducing fuel consumption and travel time
- Digitizing infrastructure and payments
- Making road transport more affordable and sustainable
Minister Gadkari also reiterated the government’s push toward GPS-based tolling systems in the future, which could replace physical toll plazas altogether.
Final Thoughts
The proposed ₹3,000 FASTag Annual Pass is a game-changer for millions of Indian road users. If implemented successfully, it could transform how India pays for road usage — especially benefiting small business owners, daily commuters, and logistics operators. As the plan progresses toward finalization, more details are expected to be revealed by the NHAI and the Road Transport Ministry in the coming months.
