Latest news with #UnionMinistryofRoadTransportandHighways
India.com
3 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
FASTag annual pass is not valid for two expressways, one is Meerut Expressway, other is…; how will 200 trips be counted in Rs 3000, know calculation here
(File) In a major move to make commuting on national highways easier and more pocket-friendly, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently announced the 'FASTag Annual Pass', which would be valid for one year or a maximum of 200 trips, whichever is earlier, for just Rs 3,000. The FASTag annual pass will be launched on August 15, 2024, on the occasion of India's 78th Independence Day, and will enable hassle-free travel for commuters on national highways and NHAI expressways across the country by eliminating the need to repeatedly pay toll at toll booths. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the annual FASTag will be valid only for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. How to avail and activate the FASTag annual pass? The FasTAG annual pass can be availed, activated, and renewed on Rajmarg Yatra App, NHAI website and the Ministry of Transport website, according to the Ministry. 'A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App as well as on the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH,' Union Minister Nitin Gadkari wrote on X. Making the announcement, Gadkari said the FASTag annual pass aims to deliver a smoother and hassle-free travel experience private vehicle owners across the country. 'This policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60 km range and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. By reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimizing disputes at toll plazas, the Annual Pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners,' he said. The Minister noted that the annual passe will make travel on national highways and expressways pocket-friendly, as toll charges on national highways that came to about Rs 10,000 earlier will now come to Rs 3,000 with the annual pass, which means a single toll crossing would cost just Rs 15 on average, from the current Rs 50. FASTag annual pass won't be valid for THESE highways/expressways Notably, the FASTag annual pass will only be valid on toll booths located on the National Highways and Expressways operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. But it won't work on expressways or highways operated by state governments, like Yamuna Expressway, the Meerut Expressway, the Agra-Lucknow expressway, and the Purvanchal Expressway, among others. The toll booths on these expressways and highways will only accept already existing regular FASTag system, as per officials. How FASTag pass will work? According to details, the FASTag pass will be linked to the RFID-based FASTag system, and will be automatically activated at all toll plazas within a radius of 60 kilometres, opening the the gates after the FASTag is scanned. The pass will be valid only for vehicles with a registered FASTag on the windshield. It is non-transferable and will deactivate if used on another vehicle. Separate vehicles require separate FASTag registration. The annual cannot be issued on FASTag registered vehicles who only have a chassis number. Car owners will need to update the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) to activate the Annual Pass.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre approves Rs 307.96 cr Keskal Bypass to boost connectivity in Bastar region
RAIPUR: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the construction of an 11.38-kilometre four-lane Keskal Bypass in Chhattisgarh's Kondagaon district. The project is estimated to cost Rs 307.96 crore and aims to improve road connectivity to the tribal Bastar region. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the development on social media. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed gratitude for the approval. Chief Minister Sai stated the bypass will ensure smooth, safe, and uninterrupted travel by removing traffic bottlenecks in the Keskal valley section. He also said the development of the Bastar region is progressing rapidly. He added that the approval resulted from the coordinated development policy of the central and state governments, connecting tribal areas like Bastar to the mainstream. Chief Minister Sai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Gadkari for their vision and initiative, calling it a crucial step for Bastar's development. The bypass road will provide a new dimension to connectivity in the Bastar region, easing passage through the challenging terrain of Keskal Ghati. It will offer an alternative route, ensuring faster and smoother journeys for commuters. The bypass will also alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas, reduce accidents and pollution, and contribute to environmental balance. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hans India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Bengaluru–Mangaluru High-Speed Corridor Takes Off: DPR Work Begins
Mangaluru: In a major boost to Karnataka's infrastructure ambitions, the much-anticipated high-speed expressway between Bengaluru and Mangaluru is one step closer to reality, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation now officially underway. Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta announced that the tendering process for the DPR has been completed by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the DPR work commenced as of April 30. The report is expected to take around 18 months to complete. "This is a transformative step for the region," said Chowta, who has been lobbying for the project over the past year. "Once realised, this corridor will not only reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Mangaluru drastically but also give a fillip to trade, tourism, and economic activity across southern Karnataka." The expressway, envisioned as a four-to-eight-lane high-speed road, is expected to run via Hassan district. When completed, it will slash travel time — currently 7 to 8 hours by road — to under 5 hours, depending on the final alignment and engineering specifications. Equally important, the all-weather corridor will improve safety, reduce congestion, and ensure seamless connectivity between Karnataka's hinterland and its vital port city. Chowta has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and officials at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for prioritising the project. He emphasised that it would unlock new growth opportunities for Mangaluru port, enhance the logistics backbone of the region, and strengthen industrial corridors extending to neighbouring districts. In a related proposal, the MP has suggested the preparation of a joint DPR for road and rail connectivity through the ecologically sensitive Shiradi Ghat. Located in the Western Ghats, this zone has long posed engineering and environmental challenges. A coordinated approach involving the NHAI and Indian Railways could streamline approvals from forest and environment ministries, Chowta said. He revealed that the Railways is already exploring a dedicated rail line through the Ghat section, and has urged the formation of a joint technical committee to examine the feasibility of an integrated road-rail corridor — a move that could reduce infrastructure duplication while protecting the fragile ecosystem. With political will and technical groundwork falling into place, the Bengaluru–Mangaluru Expressway could soon evolve from blueprint to blacktop — redefining coastal Karnataka's access to markets, jobs, and growth.
New Indian Express
09-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Delhi to build 5-km tunnel from Shiv Murti to Nelson Mandela Road to ease traffic
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Sunday announced the construction of a tunnel from Shiv Murti–Mahipalpur to Nelson Mandela Road in Vasant Kunj to ease congestion in South Delhi and the NCR. The tunnel, featuring two underground tubes, is expected to streamline vehicular flow and significantly reduce traffic snarls. CM Rekha Gupta said the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved six major infrastructure projects for the capital. Among them, the 5-kilometre-long tunnel is a key initiative aimed at balancing traffic between South Delhi and NCR, curbing pollution, and enhancing the city's overall infrastructure. The project will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at an estimated cost of Rs 3,500 crore. According to the chief minister, the tunnel will include two underground tubes, one for each direction. Each tube will have three lanes, ensuring smooth traffic movement. The tunnel will also be equipped with advanced features such as electro-mechanical systems, ventilation, fire safety measures, CCTV surveillance, emergency exits, cross-passages, and control rooms. Gupta stated that the decision came after a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, during which infrastructure projects worth Rs 24,000 crore aimed at decongesting Delhi and its adjoining regions were cleared. She said, 'This tunnel will not only reduce the load on existing roads but will also transform the entire traffic scenario in South Delhi and surrounding areas.' Government officials explained that the tunnel will decongest Nelson Mandela Road, Mahipalpur, and Rangpuri. It is also expected to reduce traffic on Dhaula Kuan, Rao Tula Ram Marg, and NH-48, offering a signal-free corridor connecting South Delhi with Dwarka and Gurugram. In the long run, the tunnel will serve as a key link between Central/East Delhi and major highways including NH-44, NH-10, NH-48, NE-5, NH-709B, and the Delhi-Dehradun expressway, via the Urban Extension Road and Dwarka Expressway. Calling it the 'foundation for the Delhi of the future,' CM Gupta said the project would commence early next year and reflects her government's commitment to a congestion-free and clean Delhi.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Car sales decline for 4th consecutive month in May
Ahmedabad: The downward trend of passenger car sales in Gujarat continued in May 2025, primarily impacted by rising vehicle prices, restrained consumer sentiment, and the ripple effects of the recent stock market crash. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the latest data from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), four-wheeler registrations fell 4% year-on-year, from 24,847 units in May 2024 to 23,843 last month, marking the fourth consecutive month of slowing sales momentum. From steep price hikes to vanishing discounts, several headwinds are keeping first-time buyers away from showrooms. "The entry-level segment has virtually disappeared. The typical first-time buyer — usually opting for a hatchback or compact — is no longer walking in. Affordability is the key issue. Incomes didn't keep pace with car prices. The cheapest entry-level model at our showroom cost Rs 3.6 lakh (ex-showroom) in 2020; today, it's Rs 4.93 lakh," said Jigar Vyas, CEO of a city-based car dealership. "Frequent price hikes and mandatory safety upgrades like six airbags pushed up entry-level costs further," he added. Even India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, reported a 5.6% drop in overall domestic passenger vehicle sales in May, with its budget-friendly mini and compact models — including the Alto, WagonR, Swift, and Baleno — falling 12.6%. Dealers say the slump is largely concentrated in the mass segment, while premium and hybrid models continue to attract buyers. Rising demand for pre-owned vehicles is also denting sales of entry-level cars. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "With organised players entering the used-car space, buyers now have access to reliable, well-financed vehicles at lower costs. Many opt for a bigger pre-owned car instead of a new entry-level model at a similar price point," said Pranav Shah, chairperson of the Federation of Automobile Dealers' Associations (FADA) – Gujarat. Dealers further cited tensions between India and Pakistan as another factor behind consumer caution. "Many buyers didn't recover from market losses, and the geopolitical situation made them even more wary. Overall, spending remains very cautious," Shah added. Industry players are now pinning their hopes on Rath Yatra for car purchases. The sluggish sentiment extended to the two-wheeler segment, which grew just 1.8% in May—93,983 units sold versus 92,278 a year ago. Dealers expect rural sales to pick up in the coming months, aided by forecasts of a normal monsoon. (GFX sent to designers) Box: Vehicle Sales Category May-24 May-25 % Change Four-Wheeler 24,847 23,843 -4.0 Two-Wheeler 92,278 93,983 1.8 Source: MoRTH
