Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari sent shockwaves through India’s travel community on Wednesday with what he called an “Important Announcement” on social media. The FASTag-based Annual Pass, priced at just ₹3,000, is being hailed as a potential game-changer for millions of highway users across the country.
Important Announcement 📢
🔹In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, effective from 15th August 2025. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes…
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) June 18, 2025
Taking to his official social media handle, Minister Gadkari described the initiative as a “transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel.” His announcement, complete with diamond bullet points and hashtags #FASTagBasedAnnualPass and #PragatiKaHighway, has already sparked widespread discussion among commuters and travel enthusiasts.
The post revealed that this revolutionary pass will be effective from August 15, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s highway infrastructure modernization.
The ₹3,000 annual investment offers unprecedented value for regular highway travelers. Valid for one full year from activation or up to 200 trips (whichever comes first), the pass exclusively caters to non-commercial private vehicles including cars, jeeps, and vans.
For frequent highway users, the mathematics is compelling. With traditional toll charges often ranging from ₹50 to ₹200 per trip depending on the route, the Annual Pass could deliver substantial savings for regular commuters and travel enthusiasts.
Minister Gadkari’s announcement specifically highlighted the policy’s focus on toll plazas located within a 60 km range, addressing long-standing frustrations of suburban and peri-urban commuters who face frequent toll deductions for relatively short distances.
The initiative promises to tackle multiple issues simultaneously:
- By reducing wait times and easing congestion at toll plazas, the system aims to create smoother traffic flow across India’s highway network.
- The single upfront payment model eliminates recurring disputes at toll plazas, a common source of frustration for daily commuters.
- The pass is designed to deliver “a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,” according to Gadkari’s social media announcement.
The Minister confirmed that activation and renewal will be available through multiple digital channels:
- Rajmarg Yatra mobile application
- Official NHAI websites
- MoRTH official platforms
A dedicated link for activation and renewal will be made available closer to the launch date, ensuring seamless user onboarding.
The ₹3,000 price point positions this Annual Pass as potentially the most cost-effective travel solution for regular highway users. For families planning multiple trips, business travelers, or daily commuters, the pass represents significant potential savings compared to traditional per-trip toll payments.
This announcement aligns with the government’s broader “Pragati Ka Highway” vision, emphasizing modernization and user convenience across India’s expanding highway network. The timing of the August 15 launch adds symbolic significance to this infrastructure milestone.
