In a major step towards transforming road travel, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced the FASTag Annual Pass from August 15, 2025, across nearly 1,150 toll plazas nationwide. This landmark initiative, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Ease of Living” through technology, is expected to be a gamechanger for the travel, tourism, and transport industries. On the very first day of launch, over 1.4 lakh drivers and operators purchased the Annual Pass, with nearly 1.39 lakh successful transactions recorded. The facility is available via the Rajmargyatra App, which saw high user engagement with nearly 20,000–25,000 concurrent users, ensuring quick activation and seamless digital updates.
Welcoming the decision, the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA) President Mr. Sehrawat and Secretary Mr. Sawhney said that while the Annual Pass will greatly benefit private vehicle users, a similar scheme for commercial vehicles is urgently needed. The ITTA team has urged the government to extend this facility to tourist coaches, taxis, and other commercial transport, as it would significantly reduce operating costs, improve travel efficiency, and boost road-based tourism across the country.
With a 98% FASTag penetration rate and more than 8 crore users already onboard, India is a global leader in digital toll collection. The launch of the FASTag Annual Pass further strengthens road connectivity, making travel economical, efficient, and convenient for interstate buses, tourist coaches, cab aggregators, and operators who play a crucial role in India’s tourism economy. Backed by improved grievance redressal mechanisms, nodal officers at toll plazas, and the strengthened 1033 National Highway Helpline, the new system is set to enhance travel reliability on national highways. Experts believe the initiative will significantly boost road-based tourism, encouraging travelers to explore more destinations, from weekend getaways to long-haul road trips, thereby promoting growth, profitability, and efficiency across India’s transport sector.
