New FASTag Policy Upcoming: Pay Rs 3,000 Once and Enjoy Unlimited Free Travel on Highways with Annual Pass

New Toll Policy: The central government is currently in the process of developing a new toll policy that could introduce a one-time payment system for annual travel across all National Highways. The aim of this proposed system is to offer seamless and uninterrupted travel for vehicle owners, eliminating the need for frequent toll top-ups and enhancing the overall driving experience across India's national road network, according to a report by The Times of India.

New FASTag Toll Policy: Pay Rs 3000 Once and Drive Unlimited

As part of the draft proposal, vehicle owners may soon have the option to pay an annual fee of Rs 3,000, allowing them to travel freely and without restrictions on national highways, expressways, and state expressways throughout the year.

FASTag Annual Pass: This "Annual Pass" system would effectively do away with the current requirement to regularly recharge FASTag accounts, thereby simplifying long-distance journeys across the country.

Two Payment Methods For Driving in Highway: For Regular and Occassional Travellers

The proposed policy sets out two payment models for highway usage. The first option is the Annual Pass, requiring a flat payment of Rs 3,000 each year, granting users unlimited access to toll roads. The second is a distance-based model, under which users would pay a fixed rate of Rs 50 per 100 kilometres which is an ideal choice for occasional travellers who do not use highways frequently.

The transition to the new toll system is expected to be straightforward and user-friendly, as vehicle owners will not need to submit any additional documentation or make changes to their existing accounts.

Current FASTag Users Can Also Utilise Benefits

Current FASTag users can simply opt into the new scheme using their present accounts.
Additionally, the government has scrapped its earlier proposal to introduce a lifetime FASTag, which would have involved a significant one-time fee of Rs 30,000 for 15 years.

To address concerns that the new toll structure could impact revenue for private toll operators and highway concessionaires, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is developing a compensation model based on digitally recorded travel data to ensure equitable remuneration. Furthermore, the policy provides banks with increased authority to tackle toll evasion by enforcing measures such as maintaining minimum FASTag balances.

New FASTag Toll Policy Status in 2025

At present, the revised FASTag toll system remains under review.
However, once implemented, it is expected to provide a more efficient, accessible, and convenient travel experience for millions of motorists across India.