The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the rules governing FASTag annual passes, introducing a concessional annual pass for eligible local residents living within a 20-kilometre radius of a toll plaza. Under the revised fee structure, eligible motorists will pay ₹1,500 or ₹3,000 annually, depending on the location of the toll plaza.

The initiative aims to provide financial relief to local residents who regularly use designated toll plazas, potentially helping daily commuters save money compared with existing monthly pass arrangements.

FASTag Annual Pass: New Fee Structure

Under the revised rules, the annual concession will be available at two rates:

• ₹1,500 per year: Applicable to toll plazas located outside the limits of a municipality or local urban body.
• ₹3,000 per year: Applicable to toll plazas situated within municipal or local urban body limits.

The revised structure could offer considerable savings for commuters who currently spend up to ₹4,320 annually on monthly passes, depending on the applicable rates and usage.

Who Is Eligible for the Concessional Pass?

To qualify for the facility, applicants must meet the prescribed conditions. The vehicle must be registered for personal use and must have an active FASTag. In addition, the resident must live within a 20-kilometre radius of the relevant toll plaza.

The concession is intended specifically for eligible local residents and is not a universal annual pass for all FASTag users.

No Concession on Certain National Highways and Expressways

The Ministry’s revised provisions exclude National Highways and Expressways that operate under a closed-user fee collection system.

Residents may also be ineligible if a service road or an alternative route is available. Therefore, the availability of an alternative route is an important factor in determining eligibility for the concession.

Pass Valid Only at the Designated Toll Plaza

The concessional annual pass will be valid only at the specific toll plaza for which it has been issued. It cannot be used to claim the same concession at other toll plazas.

This restriction means that motorists should check the eligibility conditions and applicable fee category for their local toll plaza before applying.

Annual Rates to Be Revised on April 1

According to the stated provisions, the annual pass rates will be revised every year on April 1. Eligible residents should check the latest applicable rates and requirements before purchasing or renewing their passes.

The revised scheme is expected to benefit qualifying local commuters by reducing recurring toll expenses, particularly for those who travel through the same designated toll plaza regularly.

Key takeaway: Eligible residents living within 20 kilometres of a qualifying toll plaza may be able to obtain an annual FASTag concession for ₹1,500 or ₹3,000, subject to vehicle, route and toll-plaza eligibility conditions.