The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, to introduce a concessional local pass for eligible non-commercial vehicle owners who live within 20 km distance of a toll plaza and regularly cross that plaza.
Instead of paying toll charges on every trip, such vehicle owners can take this annual FASTag pass at a fixed fee. The concessional local FASTag service will start on November 1, 2026.
Concessional local FASTag pass from November 1: Who can get it?
As per a gazette notification dated October 26, 2026, a person who owns a mechanical vehicle, with valid functional FASTags registered for non-commercial purposes and resides within a distance of 20 km from a fee plaza can get the concessional local FASTag pass.
What will be the cost of a concessional local FASTag pass?
The annual charge will depend on whether the toll plaza is located within or outside municipal or local town limits.
Under the new rules, eligible vehicle owners can opt for an annual pass costing Rs 1,500 if the toll plaza is outside municipal or local town limits.
If the toll plaza falls within municipal or local town limits, the annual pass will cost Rs 3,000.
The government may revise these rates every year on April 1.
Where will the concessional local FASTag pass not apply?
The concessional pass will be valid only for the particular fee plaza for which it is issued. It will not provide a blanket exemption or concession at every toll plaza on the route.
The pass will not be available for travel on a national highway or expressway where toll collection follows a closed user fee collection system.
The pass will also not be issued if a service road or alternative road is available for use.
Who can apply for the concessional local FASTag pass?
The amended rules specify conditions that vehicle owners must satisfy to obtain the pass.
The vehicle owner must reside within 20 km distance of the toll plaza for which the pass is issued.
The mechanical vehicle must have a valid and functional FASTag registered for non-commercial use.
The provision is intended for eligible private vehicles rather than commercial vehicles.
What is a FASTag?
FASTag is a device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion. FASTag (RFID Tag) is affixed on the windscreen of vehicles and enables a customer to make toll payments directly from the account which is linked to their FASTag.
What is a FASTag annual pass?
A FASTag annual pass activated on the FASTag allows free passage of private car/jeep/van at designated National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) fee plazas for one year or 200 trips (whichever is earlier), without per-trip user fee charges. The annual pass charge is Rs 3,000 for the base year 2025–26.