A new policy may soon allow Indian vehicle owners to zoom through highways without worrying about toll charges.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is working on a plan to introduce a FASTag Annual Pass that offers unlimited travel across national highways and expressways for just Rs 3,000 a year.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what the new toll system could look like.

Toll Payment Options

According to a report in The Times of India, MoRTH is planning a dual toll system, giving drivers two simple choices:

FASTag Annual Pass

With a one-time recharge of Rs 3,000 per year, private vehicle owners could drive across all national highways, state expressways, and other toll roads without paying anything extra for the whole year.

Distance-Based Pricing

If you don’t want the annual pass, you might pay a flat fee of Rs 50 per 100 km under a new distance-based pricing model. This would replace the current system where tolls vary depending on the location.

No Hassle for Current FASTag Users

The new policy aims to make the transition easy. Existing FASTags will remain valid, and vehicle owners won’t need to provide any new documents or make account changes. They can simply opt into the new scheme through their current FASTag account.

What About the Lifetime FASTag Policy?

Previously, the government had floated an idea for a lifetime FASTag with a one-time fee of Rs 30,000 for 15 years. However, this plan has now been scrapped, as per Times Now.

Goodbye to Toll Booth Queues?

The government is also planning a barrier-free tolling system. This means toll plazas may no longer have physical barriers, and sensor-based tolling will be phased out. The move is expected to reduce traffic jams, save fuel, and make highway travel faster and smoother.

When Will This Be Rolled Out?

Although the policy is still under discussion, the Ministry is working on compensation plans for highway contractors and giving banks more authority to prevent toll evasion by tools like enforcing minimum FASTag balances.