New Delhi, August 16(HS): In a resounding response to a first-of-its-kind initiative, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced that nearly 1.4 lakh motorists purchased the newly launched FASTag Annual Pass on its debut day, August 15. The scheme was rolled out across 1,150 toll plazas nationwide, aiming to simplify toll payments and make road travel more economical for regular commuters.

The innovative pass, priced at ₹3,000 for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings (whichever comes first), is exclusively available for non-commercial vehicles equipped with valid FASTags. Promising to eliminate the hassle of frequent recharges, the pass activates within two hours of payment, which can be made via the Rajmargyatra App or the official NHAI website.

According to official data, by 7:00 pm on Independence Day — the launch date — around 1.39 lakh toll transactions had already been processed using the new facility. Meanwhile, the Rajmargyatra App witnessed 20,000–25,000 concurrent users at peak hours. Pass holders also reported receiving instant SMS confirmations of “zero fee deduction” during highway crossings, ensuring transparency in usage.

To enable smooth execution, NHAI has deployed nodal officers at every toll plaza. The national 1033 helpline service has also been bolstered with an additional 100 executives to handle queries and grievances from commuters.

“This annual pass will enhance highway user experience, make travel more seamless and economical, and further strengthen India’s digital toll collection system, which already boasts a penetration rate of 98 percent with over eight crore users nationwide,” the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.

The FASTag system has already transformed toll collection in India, slashing congestion and boosting efficiency. With the Annual Pass facility, NHAI hopes to provide greater ease and predictability for daily travelers, especially those who routinely use the same routes.

The success of its debut day suggests that the new system may significantly redefine how Indians experience long-distance road travel in the years to come.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar