FASTag Annual Pass to be launched on Independence Day; 5 Things Travellers Should Know

The new FASTag Annual Pass is all set to roll out from August 15, the day India celebrates its 79th Independence Day. From this day, daily highway commutes in India will get pocket friendly. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will roll out a FASTag Annual Pass which is aimed at helping regular travellers save on toll charges.The new FASTag annual pass is priced at INR 3,000. The pass offers either 200 toll crossings or one year of validity — whichever comes first.Let’s have a look at five important things every traveller should know.EligibilityThe annual FASTag pass is only for private, non-commercial vehicles like cars and jeeps, among others. Heavy commercial vehicles including buses, trucks, or passenger taxis are not eligible.What makes you eligible:The FASTag must be active It should be correctly affixed to your vehicleThe FASTag must be linked to a valid vehicle registration number.Your vehicle should not be blacklisted It should also not be involved in any ongoing disputes related to toll payment.Price and Validity

The Annual Pass comes with an annual fee of INR 3,000. Once you cross the 200 limit or the one-year mark (whichever comes first), the pass expires. Regular charges will apply after that.Where and How to ApplyFrom August 15 onwards, travellers can apply via:Rajmarg Yatra App (available on app stores)NHAI official website – www.nhai.gov.in

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) site – www.morth.nic.inIf you already have a FASTag, you won’t need to buy a new one. You can link your annual pass to your existing tag after paying the INR 3,000 fee through the approved portal or app.Is It mandatory?Well the simple answer is No it is not mandatory and is completely optional. Your current FASTag will continue to work. The main aim is to offer daily commuters to save money by paying a fixed fee in advance instead of getting charged at every toll plaza.How will it help daily travellers?

For those driving on a highway twice a day for work, toll expenses can add up to several thousand rupees a year. This pass allows:Faster transit, since you won’t need to worry about your wallet balance dropping mid-journey.Peace of mind for those who frequently cross the same toll points.If your road trips involve passing through toll gates almost on a daily basis, the FASTag annual pass could help you a lot. For occasional travellers, the regular FASTag payment system works well.From August 15, the choice will be for commuters to choose.