Intro:
FASTag Annual Pass adoption has surged nationwide, crossing 50 lakh users within six months of its launch.
New Delhi
The government on Friday said the FASTag Annual Pass has crossed the milestone of 50 lakh users, with more than 26.55 crore toll transactions recorded within just six months of its launch. The data reflects the growing popularity of the scheme among private vehicle owners and its role in streamlining toll payments on India’s highway network.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, nearly 28 per cent of all car transactions on the National Highway (NH) network are now being carried out through the FASTag Annual Pass. Officials said this sharp uptake highlights a clear shift toward subscription-based toll payments that reduce the need for frequent recharges and stop-and-go delays at toll plazas.
A region-wise analysis shows that Chandigarh leads the country in Annual Pass usage, accounting for 14 per cent of total transactions under the scheme. It is followed by Tamil Nadu with 12.3 per cent and Delhi at 11.5 per cent, indicating strong adoption in both northern and southern regions.
At the toll-plaza level, Bijwasan Fee Plaza in the Delhi NCR has emerged as the top location for Annual Pass usage, with around 57 per cent of total car crossings there being made using the pass. Mundaka Fee Plaza in Delhi NCR and Jhinjholi Fee Plaza in Sonipat follow closely, each registering about 53 per cent of non-commercial vehicle crossings through the Annual Pass.
The ministry said the FASTag Annual Pass is currently applicable at nearly 1,150 fee plazas across National Highways and National Expressways. It allows users to make unlimited toll payments through a one-time fee of Rs 3,000, valid for either one year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings, whichever is earlier. The facility is available exclusively for non-commercial vehicles equipped with a valid FASTag.
Activation of the Annual Pass is seamless, officials said. Once the one-time payment is made through the Rajmargyatra App or the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website, the pass is activated on the existing FASTag linked to the vehicle within two hours.