16 Apr 2025
Government brings new toll policy for smooth and affordable travel
The Government of India is planning to launch a new toll policy soon to simplify and make highway travel more affordable. Under this new rule, users will be able to get an annual FASTag pass for just Rs 3,000, which will allow unlimited travel on national highways, expressways, and even state expressways without paying extra toll fees. This will bring huge relief to daily and frequent travellers, including those using truck, tipper and trailer vehicles.
What’s New In This Toll Policy?
Until now, drivers could only buy monthly toll passes. However, the new policy will allow users to purchase a yearly pass. This pass will be available at a one-time payment of Rs 3,000, and users will not need to pay tolls separately every time they use an expressway or highway.
In addition, this policy will work directly through the FASTag system, so travellers will not need to get a separate pass. The money for the yearly pass can be easily paid through the FASTag account linked to the vehicle.
This change is expected to reduce the average toll fee by up to 50%, making travel much cheaper for regular users. Moreover, there will also be a fixed toll charge of about Rs 50 per 100 kilometres for those who do not take the annual pass.
Barrier-Free Electronic Tolling To Be Introduced
One of the new policy's most important goals is to make tolling barrier-free and fully electronic. This means there will be no stopping at toll plazas and no long queues. The new system will use advanced technology and automatic sensors to detect the FASTag without drivers needing to adjust or position their vehicle again and again.
The Government has already tested this system in three pilot projects, and the results have been very positive. These changes will save drivers time and fuel and reduce traffic jams at toll plazas.
How Will the Government Handle Losses to Contractors?
A big challenge in this new toll model is dealing with the existing agreements with highway contractors and concessionaires. These old agreements do not include the option for an annual toll pass. However, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has created a new formula to solve this.
Under this plan, toll contractors will keep a digital record of every vehicle passing through the toll. Based on this data, the Government will pay the difference between the expected toll income and the actual amount collected. This will make sure that private contractors do not face losses due to the new policy.
One Vehicle-One FASTag Policy To Be Strengthened
The Government is also tightening its rules on the use of Fastags. Last year, the “One Vehicle, One FASTag” rule was introduced to prevent people from using the same FASTag on different vehicles. After this rule was applied, about 1 crore illegal FASTags were removed.
Now, the Government is working with banks to take strict action if a vehicle tries to cross a toll plaza without paying. New fines and penalties are also being planned to avoid such problems in the future.
Toll Experience Will Become Faster And Easier
Perhaps one of the most welcomed changes will be how fast and simple toll payments become. The new system will use a standard way to install FASTag and sensors, so the toll plaza can automatically detect the vehicle. This means drivers will no longer have to stop and adjust their cars for the scanner to work.
The Government is also working closely with state authorities to include all types of roads under this new system and make the entire tolling process smooth and hassle-free.
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