India
MoRTH Launches FASTag‑Based Annual Local Toll Pass for Residents Near National Highways
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced an annual toll pass for residents living within 20 km of national highway toll plazas. The pass, available through FASTag, allows unlimited crossings at a single selected plaza for up to ₹3,000 a year. It is intended to replace the existing monthly pass, which costs ₹350 and requires renewal each month.
The amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, introduces two price points: ₹1,500 for plazas outside municipal or local town limits and ₹3,000 for those inside such limits. The new annual pass is in addition to the current monthly pass and is aimed at residents using non‑commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps and vans.
According to a Mint report dated 8 October, the annual pass could reduce toll expenses for frequent users. At ₹3,000 a year, the cost is roughly 29 % lower than paying ₹350 monthly (₹4,200 annually). The ₹1,500 slab offers an even greater saving.
The pass is valid for one year but only at the specific toll plaza chosen during registration; it cannot be used at other plazas and is not a nationwide pass. A MoRTH official said the scheme follows several representations highlighting shortcomings in the monthly pass system and the need for an annual option for local residents.
The local pass is similar to the existing ₹3,075 annual FASTag pass, which allows up to 200 toll‑plaza crossings on eligible national highways. Any revenue loss to highway concessionaires from the local pass will be compensated by MoRTH, as under the existing annual pass scheme.
Independent infrastructure expert Vaibhav Dange praised the initiative, noting it will help local residents who frequently use a small stretch of national highways and will support the rollout of a barrier‑less Multi‑Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system.
More than 10 million users have subscribed to the ₹3,075 annual FASTag pass, indicating strong demand for simplified, discounted tolling arrangements. India has about 110 million FASTag users, according to government data.
The annual local pass also addresses challenges arising from the MLFF rollout. Under the earlier system, some local residents crossed toll plazas informally, relying on familiarity with booth staff rather than formal passes. That arrangement is not possible under MLFF, which allows vehicles to pass toll points without stopping at conventional booths or requiring human intervention. Officials noted that residents within 20 km of toll plazas account for a significant share of e‑notices issued for unpaid tolls. The annual local pass is intended to reduce this problem.
MLFF is currently operational at six toll plazas: Choryasi, Mundaka, Daulatpura, Gharaunda, Manoharpur, and Shahjahanpur. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has expanded its digital FASTag local‑pass facility to about 300 toll plazas, allowing eligible residents to obtain monthly passes online through the Rajmargyatra mobile app. The digital facility will now be extended to annual local passes at these plazas.
Applicants, vehicles and FASTags must meet the applicable eligibility conditions. The system will verify the applicant’s address, vehicle details and linked FASTag before determining eligibility. Commuters can use the Rajmargyatra app to check whether their regular toll plaza is covered.
The notification also sets limits on concession access. The annual pass fee will be subject to revision by the central government every 1 April. The pass will not be available on national highways or expressways where tolls are collected under a closed user fee collection system, nor where a service road or alternative road is available for the driver, owner or person in charge of the vehicle to use.