Latest news with #RajmargYatra
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Relief for travellers: Govt announces ₹3,000 annual toll pass on NHs
Addressing long-standing concerns of national highway users about high toll fees, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Wednesday announced an annual toll pass that will eliminate repeated toll deductions for personal passenger vehicles. 'In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a Fastag-based annual pass priced at ₹3,000, effective from August 15. Valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips — whichever comes first — this pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, Jeeps, and vans,' Union Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said. A dedicated link for activation and renewal will soon be made available on the RajmargYatra application (app) as well as on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MoRTH. 'This policy addresses long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas located within a 60-kilometre (km) radius and simplifies toll payments through a single, affordable transaction. 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,' Gadkari said. The annual pass is available only on the RajmargYatra mobile app and the NHAI website, and will reflect in the user's existing Fastag upon completion of payment. A dedicated link for the facility will be issued soon. The pass is valid only at national highway and national expressway fee plazas, the ministry said. At fee plazas on expressways, state highways, etc. managed by state governments or local bodies, the Fastag will operate as a regular Fastag, and applicable user fee charges may apply. According to the ministry, the pass is non-transferable and is valid only for the vehicle on which the Fastag is affixed and registered. Using it on another vehicle will lead to deactivation. According to the ministry's gazette notification, the rate for the pass will be subject to revision each year, in accordance with current revision standards, which are linked to the Wholesale Price Index. Experts say the policy will bring major relief to users, while its impact on highway operating companies will be minimal. 'The introduction of the annual toll pass will enhance convenience for travellers by streamlining passage through toll plazas. Given that the average passenger vehicle covers roughly 10,000 km per year — most of which occurs outside national highways — the direct impact on toll operators is expected to be minimal. However, this move brings additional advantages, including reduced congestion, improved operational efficiency, and smoother travel patterns. For frequent travellers who use toll roads for more than 2,500 to 3,000 km annually, the pass offers considerable cost savings and added convenience, making long-distance travel more seamless,' said Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, senior director and global head, consulting, Crisil Intelligence.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Gadkari Launches ₹3,000 Annual FASTag Pass For Highways: Commuters Welcome New Move To Ease Travel
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has unveiled a game-changing ₹3,000 Annual Highway Pass for private vehicle owners across India. Effective from August 15, this FASTag-based digital pass will offer 200 trips or 1-year validity, whichever comes first, exclusively for non-commercial vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans. The move aims to ease congestion, reduce toll disputes, and ensure seamless travel on national highways. The pass can be activated and renewed via the Rajmarg Yatra App and official NHAI and MoRTH portals. The policy also resolves long-standing grievances around closely located toll plazas, offering one hassle-free solution. With this step, the government reinforces its commitment to modern infrastructure, smoother mobility, and transparent toll systems.#HighwayPass #Fastag #NitinGadkari #IndianHighways #TollFreeIndia #RajmargYatra #NHAIUpdate #HighwayTravelIndia #FASTagPass #GadkariAnnouncement #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews Read More
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
FASTag Annual Pass launched at ₹3,000, valid for 200 trips a year
₹3,000, valid for 200 trips a year data-item-target-url=/auto/news/ data-item-story-segment=Others> The FASTag annual pass will be available for private vehicle owners for ₹3,000 annually up to 200 trips Check Offers The central government has announced the new FASTag-based annual pass priced at ₹ 3,000. Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari revealed more details about the annual pass, which aims to make cross tolls more seamless across the country. The FASTag-based annual pass will be effective from August 15, 2025, and will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. FASTag Annual Pass: Only For Private Vehicles The FASTag-annual pass will be available only for non-commercial private vehicles, essentially private vehicle owners. Gadkari further revealed that a dedicated link for activation and renewal will be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra app, as well as on the NHAI and MoRTH official websites. Also Read : New FASTag rules: NHAI offers big relief to vehicle owners The FASTag annual pass will use the existing toll infrastructure Nitin Gadkari further said, '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." FASTag Annual Pass: Will use existing infrastructure The annual pass will allow private vehicle owners to travel across national highways and state expressways for a year without paying additional toll charges. It will be based on the existing FASTag infrastructure and will later comply with the sensor-based toll collection systems that could be introduced in the future. The move should make travel for private vehicles much easier on toll roads without making a significant impact on revenue. The government collected about ₹ 55,000 crore in revenue from toll collection in FY2023-24. However, private cars contributed only ₹ 8,000 crore to the same. The move will also reduce the cost burden for vehicle owners. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 18 Jun 2025, 14:17 PM IST
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Explained: What is the new ₹3,000 FASTag-based annual pass for highways?
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday announced the launch of FASTag-based annual pass. The pass, set to roll out from August 15, targets private vehicle owners and is expected to reduce congestion and disputes at toll plazas across the country. What is a FASTag? FASTag is an electronic toll collection system used to collect tolls on highways without making vehicles stop. It is run by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). A FASTag is a small sticker with a special chip (called RFID) that is placed on the front windshield of a vehicle. This sticker is linked to a prepaid or bank account. When the vehicle drives through a toll plaza, sensors scan the FASTag, and the toll amount is taken from the linked account automatically. What is a FASTag annual pass and who can use it? The FASTag annual pass is a prepaid toll payment option priced at ₹3,000. It is meant exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and vans. The pass is valid for one year from the date of activation or until 200 highway trips are completed — whichever comes first. How does the annual pass benefit vehicle owners? Designed for seamless travel on National Highways, the pass allows users to bypass routine toll payments, reducing time spent at plazas. It simplifies the toll process by consolidating payments into a single transaction, potentially saving both time and money for frequent travellers. Where can the FASTag-based annual pass be activated? A dedicated link for activation and renewal of the pass will be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra app, as well as the official websites of NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). How does the policy address the 60 km toll plaza issue? The annual pass also responds to concerns raised by motorists about toll plazas located within 60 km of each other. With the FASTag-based annual pass, commuters will not need to worry about multiple charges within short distances, effectively streamlining travel through problematic toll zones. What impact will this pass have on highway travel? The government expects that the FASTag-based annual pass will help in reducing toll booth wait times, easing traffic congestion, and lowering the frequency of toll-related disputes. By automating and simplifying toll payments, the initiative aims to make travel on Indian highways more efficient for millions of private vehicle owners. What are the advantages of using FASTag? FASTag reduces congestion at toll plazas, saves fuel, and promotes digital, cashless payments. It is vehicle-specific and cannot be transferred. Available through authorised banks and online, FASTag requires a maintained balance for smooth usage. If the balance is insufficient, the tag may be blacklisted. When was FASTag introduced in India? FASTag was launched in 2014 as a pilot on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor. It became mandatory for all four-wheelers from February 15, 2021.
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Business Standard
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Govt announces annual FASTag pass for ₹3,000, effective August 15
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday announced the introduction of a FASTag-based annual pass. In a post on X, Gadkari said the pass, which will be priced at ₹3,000, is being introduced to promote hassle-free highway travel and will come into effect starting August 15. The minister said the pass will be valid for a year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first. The pass has been designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, the minister added. Gadkari said the annual pass aims to ensure seamless and cost-effective travel across national highways throughout the country and aims to address long-standing concerns related to toll plazas that are located within a 60 km range. It will simplify toll payments via a single, affordable transaction. The annual pass aims to deliver a faster and smoother travel experience for millions of private vehicle owners by minimising wait times, easing congestion, and bringing down disputes at toll plazas, the minister stated. The annual pass will be made available through the Rajmarg Yatra mobile application and on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). A dedicated link for its activation and renewal will soon be rolled out for the users ahead of its launch. Currently, commuters who frequently pass through a toll plaza can obtain a monthly pass by submitting their relevant documents. The monthly pass is made available for ₹340 a month, totalling ₹4,080 annually. Earlier this year, Gadkari hinted at developing plans for car owner passes. Earlier, in February this year, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) clarified that the new norms for FASTag transactions will not impact the experience of the users on highway toll plazas. The clarification was issued after the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems, introduced a new regulation with regard to delayed transactions due to inactive FASTags at toll plazas. The rules came into effect on February 17.
