
FASTag to be implemented at Pykara Lake
According to officials, work on infrastructure to implement FASTag at Pykara Lake was undertaken over two days last week. While the boat house itself is operated by the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), the road leading to the boat house was under the control of the State Forest Department. Officials said that FASTag had been implemented in Doddabetta last year, and after some initial teething troubles, is now operating successfully, with anywhere between 500-1,000 vehicles entering Doddabetta Peak on any given day.
Meanwhile, officials stated that Pykara Lake, too, records quite a high tourist footfall, with peak tourist traffic sometimes exceeding 500 vehicles a day. The implementation of the FASTag system will not only ensure transparency in collection of entrance fees, but will also lead to lesser queuing tims for vehicles, officials stated. Rates for entry for vehicles varies depending on the type of vehicle from ₹30 for two-wheeler to ₹120 for buses. Officials stated that a portion of the money collected at the entrance to the Pykara Lake is also used for maintenance as well as for conducting clean-ups of trash and litter resulting from tourism to the area.
The system is to become fully functional in the coming days, officials added.

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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
1.4 lakh people buy FASTag annual pass on day one: Step-by-step easy guide on how to recharge online
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FASTag Annual Pass: A New Initiative by NHAI The FASTag Annual Pass is a prepaid toll subscription launched by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in partnership with the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL). #FASTagbasedAnnualPass for ₹3,000!✅ Valid for 1 year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings – whichever is earlier – starting from the day you activate it.✅ Enjoy seamless travel across highways without the hassle of frequent smarter, travel with #FASTag!… It is designed only for private, non-commercial vehicles (not applicable for yellow-board or commercial vehicles). The annual pass is priced at ₹3,000. It offers 200 toll-free trips or one year of travel validity (whichever comes first). The pass can be used at 1,150 toll plazas across National Highways (NH) and Expressways in India. This initiative makes road journeys stress-free by removing the need for frequent FASTag recharges. Huge Response on Independence Day Launch The scheme received an overwhelming response on the day of its launch. On 15th August 2025, more than 1.4 lakh people purchased and activated their FASTag annual pass, as reported in NDTV. According to NHAI reports: 1.39 lakh transactions were recorded on toll plazas by users on the first day itself. Around 20,000–25,000 users were actively using the RajmargYatra App at any given time. Buyers also received SMS alerts showing zero deductions, confirming free toll trips under the annual pass. This massive adoption shows how popular the FASTag annual pass has become among Indian commuters. Benefits of the FASTag Annual Pass The FASTag annual pass offers multiple advantages: Hassle-Free Travel – No need for frequent recharges or payments at toll plazas. Time-Saving – Automatic deduction without long halts at toll booths. Cost-Effective – One-time payment of ₹3,000 covers 200 trips. Easy to Upgrade – Existing FASTag users don't need to buy a new one, they can simply upgrade their current FASTag to an annual plan. How to Recharge FASTag Annual Pass Online? The FASTag annual pass is a one-time prepaid payment plan valid for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes first. During this period, there is no need to recharge it. However, to purchase or renew the pass, follow these steps: Step-by-Step Guide: Confirm Eligibility – Ensure your FASTag is active, linked to your Vehicle Registration Number (VRN), and properly fixed on your car's windscreen. The tag must not be blacklisted. Visit Official Platforms – Go to the Rajmarg Yatra App, or visit the official NHAI/MoRTH websites. Login and Fill Details – Enter your FASTag ID and vehicle details. Make Payment – Pay ₹3,000 using UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking. Activation – The pass is activated within two hours, and you will receive an SMS confirmation. Once the validity ends (either after 200 trips or one year), the pass will revert to a normal FASTag. To continue enjoying toll-free rides, you must repeat the process and pay ₹3,000 again, as auto-renewal is not available. How to Download FASTag Statement Online? To keep track of your toll usage, you can easily download your FASTag statement. This report shows travel dates, toll plaza details, trip count, and amount deductions. Here's how you can download it: Login to your FASTag issuer's website, mobile app, or the NETC portal using registered details. Go to the 'Transaction History' or 'Statements' section. Select the date range for which you want the statement. Choose your preferred format (PDF/Excel) and click 'Download'. This feature helps you monitor your toll expenses and keep records for future reference. The launch of the FASTag Annual Pass has transformed highway travel in India by making toll payments faster, easier, and completely cashless. With more than 1.4 lakh passes sold on the very first day, it is clear that the initiative has been a major success. For frequent travellers, this prepaid plan not only saves money but also ensures smooth journeys across national highways. If you haven't yet opted for the FASTag annual pass, it's the right time to get one and enjoy hassle-free travel. FAQs: Q. What is the FASTag Annual Pass? The FASTag annual pass is a prepaid subscription that allows private cars, jeeps, and vans to travel through designated National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) toll plazas without paying per-trip charges. The pass covers 200 toll-free trips or one year of travel (whichever comes earlier). It will be available from 15th August 2025. Q. How long is the FASTag Annual Pass valid? The FASTag annual pass is valid for one year from the date of activation or 200 transactions (trips), whichever comes first. After this, the pass will automatically revert to a regular FASTag. 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Normally, the FASTag annual pass is activated within two hours, and an SMS confirmation is sent to the registered mobile number. Q. Which toll plazas are covered under the FASTag Annual Pass? The annual pass is valid only on National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) toll plazas. At state highways, city-managed toll plazas, or parking areas, the FASTag will work as a regular FASTag, and normal charges may apply. Q. Is the FASTag Annual Pass available for all vehicle types? No. The pass is available only for private, non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. Commercial vehicles (yellow-board vehicles) are not eligible. If a commercial vehicle uses the annual pass, it will be immediately deactivated without notice. Q. Do I need to have the FASTag affixed on the vehicle's windscreen? Yes. To activate the FASTag annual pass, the FASTag must be properly fixed on the windscreen of the registered vehicle. Q. Can I transfer my FASTag Annual Pass to another vehicle? No. The annual pass is non-transferable. It is valid only for the vehicle where the FASTag is registered and affixed. Using it for another vehicle will result in deactivation. Q. Can I get an Annual Pass if my FASTag is linked only to a chassis number? No. The FASTag annual pass cannot be issued if your FASTag is registered only with a chassis number. You must update your FASTag with a valid Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) to activate the pass. Q. Is the FASTag Annual Pass mandatory? No. The FASTag annual pass is optional. If you do not wish to purchase it, your regular FASTag will continue to work as usual, and tolls will be deducted per trip. Q. What counts as a single trip under the FASTag Annual Pass? For Point-Based Toll Plazas: Each crossing counts as one trip. A round trip (to and fro) will count as two trips. For Closed Tolling Systems: One pair of entry and exit is considered one trip. Q. Will I receive SMS notifications for my FASTag Annual Pass? Yes. Once you activate the pass, you will receive SMS alerts about activation, toll usage, and trip counts on your registered mobile number. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.


NDTV
7 hours ago
- NDTV
FASTag Annual Pass Records 1.4 Lakh Buyers On Day One Of Sale: Price, Benefits And More
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