Latest news with #AnnualTollPass
News18
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- News18
FASTag: Can Annual Travel Pass Help You Save Money? Minimum & Maximum Recharges Explained
Last Updated: The National Highways Authority of India will start issuing the pass from August 15 for Rs 3,000. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday introduced a FASTag-based annual pass, effective from August 15. The Annual Toll Pass (ATP) will cost Rs 3,000, down from the earlier Rs 10,000, and will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 visits, whichever comes first. The policy intends to simplify toll payments, alleviate congestion, and reduce friction at toll booths across the country. What is the Validity? The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will start issuing the pass from August 15 for Rs 3,000. It will be valid for one year from the purchase date or 200 travels at National Highway and Expressway fee plazas. Once the trip limit has been surpassed, you can renew an ATP for a year. Alternatively, you can also use the FASTag, as purchasing an ATP is not mandatory to drive on the NHAI network. Those who want to continue utilising FASTag can do so. As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), this scheme falls under the National Highways Fee (Amendment) Rules, 2025. Who Can Use the Annual Pass? It is designed specifically for non-commercial private vehicles, including cars, jeeps and vans. To be qualified for the facility, the vehicle must have a valid registration and a functional FASTag. This pass does not cover commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, or taxis. The annual toll pass can be activated and renewed using a dedicated link that the government will soon make accessible on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as the MoRTH and NHAI official websites. To complete the activation process, users must enter their vehicle details as well as their FASTag ID. Can An Annual Travel Pass Help You Save Money? According to the ministry, regular users can save up to Rs 7,000 per year, as the average toll payment will be reduced from Rs 50 to Rs 15 per trip. 'By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimising disputes at toll plazas, the Annual Pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners," the minister said. Here's How Much You Can Save With the ATP: Delhi to Mumbai From Delhi to Mumbai, there are approximately 12 to 15 toll plazas, including Kherki Daula, Kishangarh, Ahmedabad Ring Road, Surat, Vapi, and Dahisar. On closed-tolling highways, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, a vehicle is only charged at the entry and exit points, indicating that it is a single trip. So, if the one-way toll charge is around Rs 1,900, the round-trip will be Rs 3,800. However, if you choose the new FASTag yearly plan, you pay only Rs 3,000 per year and get unlimited travel till you finish 200 trips. Delhi to Jaipur Between Delhi and Jaipur, there are four tolls — Ghamroj, Hilalpur, Bhandarraj and Rajadhok. And if you go twice a month, the monthly expenses are around Rs 1,288, bringing the total annual cost to Rs 15, 456. But with ATP, you only need to pay Rs 3,000 for a year of unlimited travel on this route and can save more than Rs 12,000.
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
What a toll pass means for your drive on national highways
The Centre will roll out an ' Annual Toll Pass ' (ATP) for private car owners that will let you drive through toll plazas without having to stop and pay - either by cash or through FASTag - on national highways and expressways that are managed by NHAI (National Highways Authority of India). The pass does not replace FASTag but is a parallel system in which you make a one-time payment and accounting is done on the basis of trips you make, not the balance on your card. Only private cars will be eligible for ATPs, not taxis or any other commercial vehicle. When can you get an ATP? NHAI will start issuing ATPs from August 15. An ATP can be bought for ₹3,000 and will be for a year from the date of purchase. Within this period, an ATP holder will be eligible for 200 trips on the NHAI network. Once the trip limit is breached, you can renew an ATP for a year. Alternatively, you can pay through FASTag. Buying an ATP won't be mandatory to drive on the NHAI network. Those who want to keep using FASTag can continue to do so. How does ATP define a trip? Crossing one toll plaza will count as one trip on an ATP. Say you're driving from Delhi to Chandigarh or Delhi to Jaipur on NHs. Every time you cross a toll plaza, it counts as a trip. So, if you've crossed four toll plazas, your trip count on the ATP is four. This is how ATP will work on an open tolling system, which is any highway other than access-controlled highways that have a closed tolling system, which means you pay only at point of exit, the journey will count as one trip. For example, on roads such as Delhi-Mumbai Expressway , Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway or Eastern Peripheral Expressway, if you're travelling end to end, it's counted as one trip. However, if you exit midway and re-enter the road at another point, the trip count will increase to two. Do you save if you have an ATP? If you are a frequent inter-state traveller, an ATP will be cheaper. For example, you now pay a total toll of around ₹325 to travel one-way between Delhi and Chandigarh on NH-44, at four toll plazas.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Govt plans FASTag annual toll pass for unlimited highway travel: Check proposed fee, benefits, rollout date
The central government is reportedly working on a new toll collection system that may allow private vehicle owners to pay a single annual fee of ₹3,000 for unlimited travel on national highways. This proposal is part of the government's plan to improve highway travel, reduce costs, and simplify toll payments using digital technology. What is the FASTag annual toll pass? The proposed FASTag Annual Toll Pass is expected to replace the current system of toll payment per journey. Private vehicle owners who opt for this plan can travel across national highways and expressways without facing recurring deductions each time they cross a toll booth. The aim is to reduce congestion, promote digital payments, and ease the travel experience through a one-time payment system. According to reports, the policy will also use GPS and automated tracking to support revenue collection and ensure compensation for toll operators. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 10 Most Beautiful Women In The World OMGIFacts Undo Two payment models under consideration Annual toll pass The key proposal involves a flat ₹3,000 annual payment that gives car owners unlimited access to national and state expressways. This model eliminates the need to reload FASTag accounts frequently or track individual toll deductions. It especially benefits people who travel frequently by road, including daily commuters and commercial vehicle operators. Live Events This plan also supports the government's larger push toward digital payments and simplified governance. Distance-based pricing For occasional highway users, the proposed system includes a second model: a distance-based toll of ₹50 per 100 kilometers. This option avoids asking such users to pay a flat annual fee that may not match their travel habits. With this flexible system, drivers can pay according to their actual highway usage. The government plans to build a scalable tolling model that accommodates both frequent and occasional users. Benefits of the proposed toll pass No extra documentation Users with existing FASTag accounts will not be required to submit fresh documents or update their accounts to switch to the new system. Smooth transition The new system aims to work with the current FASTag setup, ensuring a smooth experience for existing users and avoiding disruption during the change. Cancellation of lifetime plan The previously discussed plan for a ₹30,000 lifetime FASTag valid for 15 years has been dropped. The shift now is toward flexible and accessible tolling options. Infrastructure compatibility The system is expected to function with current FASTag infrastructure, which could make the rollout easier and faster. Barrier-free toll booths planned Another key element of the proposal is the removal of physical toll barriers. The government plans to phase out existing boom barriers and sensor systems in favor of a completely barrier-free setup. Technologies such as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), satellite tracking, or GPS may be used to allow vehicles to move through toll points without stopping. The goal is to reduce congestion, fuel waste, and delays caused by toll collection. Implementation timeline unclear As of now, there is no official announcement on when the new toll system will begin. While reports suggest planning is underway, final confirmation from the government is still pending. The proposed toll system reflects a broader shift in India's transport policy, focusing on digital solutions and improving user convenience across the country's road network.
