The government plans a digital FASTag-linked monthly pass at Rs 350 for residents living within 20 km of a toll plaza.
Applicants will need to submit address proof and vehicle documents for verification before the pass is activated.
For millions of Indians who live near national highway toll plazas, crossing the same barrier multiple times a day is both an expensive and time-consuming ordeal. The central government has now moved to fix that, with plans to introduce a digital monthly pass system for local residents, priced at just Rs 350 per month.
What the New Monthly Pass System Offers
Under the proposed system, residents living within a 20-km radius of a toll plaza will be eligible to obtain digital monthly or annual passes. Once activated, the pass will be linked to the vehicle's FASTag account and made available through the Rajmarg portal, allowing users to cross the designated toll plaza an unlimited number of times without facing repeated toll deductions.
At present, non-commercial vehicle owners residing near toll plazas can obtain a monthly local pass by paying Rs 350 per month, though the pass is usually issued physically at the toll plaza after document verification.
The new digital system is expected to simplify the process significantly and may even be priced lower than the current monthly pass, according to officials familiar with the proposal.
Why the Government Is Introducing This Change
The timing of this initiative is closely tied to the wider rollout of automated tolling across the country. The move comes as India expands its Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling system, where vehicles pass through toll plazas without stopping, with tolls collected automatically using FASTag and number plate recognition technologies.
Officials found that a large share of toll payment violations under the new system involve local residents who frequently cross nearby toll plazas, many of whom currently rely on manual verification or local familiarity with toll staff, exemptions that will no longer be possible under automated tolling.
How to Apply for the Monthly Pass
The application process has been kept straightforward. Residents will need to submit proof of address and vehicle documents to the toll operator or through an authorised portal.
The proposed passes will be linked directly to FASTag accounts and verified through Aadhaar-based identification, eliminating the need for physical passes and manual verification at toll booths. Once the verification is complete, the FASTag will be linked to the specific toll plaza's system.
The Bigger Picture for Highway Commuters
This monthly pass sits alongside the existing FASTag Annual Pass, which was revised for the financial year 2026-27. The FASTag Annual Pass fee was revised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,075 for FY 2026-27, effective April 1, 2026, and is valid for one year or up to 200 toll crossings, whichever comes first, covering approximately 1,150 fee plazas on national highways and expressways.
For those crossing a single local plaza every day, though, the monthly pass at Rs 350 is a far more practical and economical option.
Together, these measures signal a clear shift in how India's toll infrastructure operates, one that is increasingly digital, automated, and, in theory, more equitable for the people who live closest to it.