NHAI sells over 5 Lakh FASTag annual passes, generates ₹150 Crore in 4 days

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released its new FASTag-based annual toll pass on Independence Day for private car owners to avoid multiple toll payments. 

In just four days, more than 5 lakh passes have been sold, generating about Rs 150 crore in revenue.

Among all states, Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of purchases, followed by Karnataka and Haryana.

In terms of actual toll transactions, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh were the top three states where drivers used the new passes most actively.

All about the FASTag pass

Priced at Rs. 3,000, the FASTag pass allows up to 200 toll-free trips by private cars, jeeps, and vans on National Highway and National Expressway toll plazas, offering significant savings for frequent travellers.

However, when the limit is crossed, the FASTag will automatically switch back to the regular pay-per-trip system.

For point-based toll plazas, each one-way trip counts as one, and a return as two.

In closed or ticket-based systems, one complete journey (entry to exit) is treated as a single trip.

The pass can be bought through the Rajmarg Yatra app, NHAI/MoRTH websites, or FASTag issuer portals.

Payment of Rs 3,000 can be done through UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. The FASTag wallet balance cannot be used for this.

Activation usually happens within two hours with an SMS confirmation.

However, some FASTags issued for brand-new vehicles are linked only with the chassis number.

In such cases, the pass cannot be activated unless the FASTag is updated with the full registration number.

On average, toll charges for cars are about Rs 50 per trip. Without the annual pass, 200 trips could cost nearly Rs 10,000 in a year.

By paying only Rs 3,000 for the annual pass, frequent highway travellers can save around Rs 7,000.

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ishit