.jpeg "Featured Image")
The Fastag annual pass is set to launch on August 15th. This prepaid toll payment scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, was announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari a few months ago. It is designed for non-commercial and private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans to reduce the average cost of toll payments.
If you’re looking to purchase an annual Fastag pass for your car, this guide answers all your questions. It covers the cost, validity, number of toll crossings, purchase process, multi-vehicle use, and applicable expressways and highways.
**How to Buy an Annual Pass:**
Download the Rajmargyatra App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The app provides options to purchase or renew Fastag passes. After providing the necessary information and making the payment, the pass can be activated. A new Fastag is not required; the pass can be activated on your existing Fastag.
**Can It Be Used for Multiple Vehicles?**
No, a single pass is vehicle-specific. It is linked to the registered vehicle and will only function for that vehicle. Using the pass on another vehicle may lead to deactivation. According to the new rules, the FASTag must be correctly affixed to the vehicle’s windshield; failure to do so could result in blacklisting.
**Pass Fees and Limits:**
The purchase price for the Fastag is ₹3,000. Once purchased, it is valid for one year or 200 trips. The pass needs to be renewed after the toll limit or time expires. A significant benefit is that the average toll charge will decrease to ₹15 per trip, down from the previous ₹50.
**Where the Fastag Pass Works:**
The Fastag annual pass is exclusively applicable on central government highways and expressways maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It will not be valid on state government highways and expressways. Toll charges will apply as usual on these routes. For example, on the Yamuna Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, and Bundelkhand Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, standard toll charges will be applicable.
**How 200 Trips Are Counted:**
Each crossing at a toll plaza counts as one trip. A round trip is calculated as two trips. If a toll is closed, entering and exiting will be considered one trip. The pass expires after 200 trips, and renewal is required.
**Who Benefits from the Pass?**
This pass provides considerable savings for travelers who cover 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers on toll roads annually. It reduces congestion at toll plazas and minimizes disputes regarding toll charges. The aim is to alleviate traffic, provide convenience to travelers, and improve operational efficiency.
