Argus News - Breaking News: FASTag Annual Pass to Get Costlier from April

Bhubaneswar, Mar 14: Travel on national highways is set to become costlier from April 1 as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a revision in toll rates.

The annual FASTag pass, widely used by non-commercial vehicle owners, will see its price increase from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075.

According to NHAI, the revised rates will come into effect from the first day of the 2026-27 financial year. The annual pass is valid for either one year or 200 toll crossings, whichever comes first.

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This means that if a driver crosses toll plazas 200 times before the year ends, the pass will expire even if the 12-month period is not completed.

The new rule applies to all vehicles equipped with a valid FASTag. NHAI has directed toll plazas and stakeholders across the country to implement the revised rates from April 1 and inform commuters about the changes.

Officials explained that toll rates are reviewed annually, and adjustments are made as part of the standard process. This year’s increase is relatively modest but will still impact frequent travellers who rely on the annual pass for convenience and savings.

The annual pass system is designed to simplify toll payments for non-commercial vehicles, offering unlimited travel within the validity period or up to 200 crossings. With the new pricing, commuters will need to plan their travel expenses accordingly.

The announcement has sparked discussions among highway users, many of whom feel that even small increases add up over time. However, authorities maintain that the revision is necessary to support infrastructure maintenance and development across India’s expanding highway network.