New Delhi | February 6, 2025
The government is considering a new toll pass system to simplify travel costs for private vehicle owners. If approved, drivers could get an annual unlimited travel pass for ₹3,000 or a lifetime pass for ₹30,000, valid for 15 years. The plan aims to reduce toll expenses and make highway travel smoother, but is it the solution drivers really need?
How Will It Work?
– The annual pass allows unlimited travel on all national highways for ₹3,000.
– The lifetime pass, valid for 15 years, will cost ₹30,000.
– The passes will be linked to the existing FASTag system, meaning no extra devices or paperwork.
Currently, monthly toll passes cost ₹340 per toll plaza, adding up to ₹4,080 per year—but they are only valid at one specific toll booth. The new pass would cover all national highways, making it a cheaper and more flexible option.
Who Really Benefits?
Private cars account for 53% of all toll transactions but contribute only 21% of total toll revenue. In 2023-24, they paid ₹8,000 crore out of ₹55,000 crore in total toll collection. The government believes offering these passes won’t drastically impact revenue but will make travel easier for millions of daily commuters.
The Big Questions
– Will it really reduce travel costs, or will toll operators find other ways to charge drivers?
– Will it lead to better highway management, or just another failed policy experiment?
– Will it be fairly implemented, or will certain regions and routes still face extra toll charges?
What’s Next?
The road transport ministry is reviewing the proposal, and an official announcement is expected soon. If implemented properly, this could be a game-changer for frequent highway travelers. But like many government schemes, the real impact will be seen only after implementation.
For now, commuters wait and watch—hoping that this time, the promise of hassle-free highway travel actually becomes a reality.
