The government launched the Annual FASTag Pass on 15 August, aiming to provide people with more travel at lower costs and reduce the burden of toll taxes. Under this annual FASTag pass, users can make up to 200 journeys with a recharge of just ₹3,000 per year, bringing the cost per toll pass down to only ₹15. Since its launch, the scheme has been widely appreciated, especially on the Delhi-Chandigarh Highway, where about 30% of private cars and jeeps are now using the annual FASTag pass. This number is three times higher than the average on other national highways across the country.
Rising Demand for the Annual Pass
Vishal Chauhan, a member of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), said that he expects the number of private vehicles with a one-year FASTag pass to reach 10 lakh by Tuesday. The annual pass is particularly useful for frequent highway travelers.
Chauhan also mentioned that there have been no significant problems in implementing the scheme and that it has relieved travelers from repeatedly paying tolls. He shared this information during a ‘Build India Foundation’ workshop, which was also attended by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Secretary V Umashankar.
Nitin Gadkari Stresses Quality Service
Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized that if toll is being collected for providing good service, it is equally important to deliver quality roads. He stated that if the service is poor and toll is collected, criticism is certain. Gadkari instructed officials to clearly display the names of responsible contractors and officers on every highway section to ensure accountability. He also highlighted the need for transparency in road quality and construction.
Lessons from Past Mistakes
Road Transport Secretary V Umashankar cited the example of the NH-48 project in Gurugram, pointing out that future needs were not properly estimated during planning. The highway ended up dividing the city, and there was no provision for a safe crossing, which led to extra expenditure by NHAI. He stressed that future challenges must be considered carefully during planning to avoid such costly mistakes.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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