Author: Akshay Published Date: June 20, 2025
Why This Matters to Every Driver
You’ve probably heard about the new ₹3,000 FASTag annual pass launching August 15, 2025 – offering 200 toll crossings or 1 year validity (whichever comes first). But here’s the burning question: When you pass through entry AND exit gates, does it count as one trip or two?
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) just clarified the rules:
- ✅ Closed toll highways (entry + exit plazas only): Entry + Exit = 1 trip
- ✅ Open-toll systems (multiple plazas): Every plaza crossed = 1 trip
Translation: Drive Delhi-Mumbai Expressway end-to-end? That’s one trip. But on routes like Delhi-Chandigarh with 4 toll plazas? That’s four trips – and your pass deducts accordingly.
Quick Refresher: What’s This Annual Pass?
Announced by Nitin Gadkari on June 18, 2025, this pass is a game-changer for private car/jeep/van owners:
- Flat ₹3,000 for 200 toll crossings on national highways/expressways
- Activates via Rajmarg Yatra App or NHAI/MoRTH portals
- Does NOT replace FASTag – your existing tag stays active
- Optional but smart math: Heavy users could save ₹7,000+ yearly vs. pay-per-toll
Real talk: At ~₹15 per trip (₹3k ÷ 200), this beats paying ₹100-400 per crossing on busy routes.
Open vs. Closed Toll Systems: Your Cheat Sheet
🔓 Open Toll System (Think: Delhi-Chandigarh NH)
- How it works: Multiple toll gates charge you per segment
- Trip math: Each plaza = 1 trip
- Example: Delhi→Chandigarh (4 tolls) = 4 trips ⋅ Round trip = 8 trips
🔒 Closed Toll System (Think: Delhi-Mumbai Expressway)
- How it works: Pay once at exit for distance traveled
- Trip math: Entry + Exit = 1 trip total (even if you pass internal checkpoints)
- Gotcha: Exit midway? Your next re-entry starts a new trip
What This Means for Your Wallet
1. Cost Prediction
- Closed toll route: Delhi→Mumbai round trip = 2 trips
- Open toll route: Delhi→Chandigarh round trip = 8 trips
Translation: Your ₹3k pass lasts 4x longer on closed routes!
2. Savings Spotlight
- Without pass: Delhi→Chandigarh costs ₹325 one-way
- With pass: Same trip costs ~₹60 one-way (₹3k ÷ 50 round trips)
- Heavy commuter? Crossing 4 tolls daily = ₹10,400/year saved
3. Key Limitations
- ❌ Only covers NH/expressways – state/municipal tolls use regular FASTag balance
- ❌ Private vehicles only – commercial use = instant deactivation
- ❌ Non-transferable – one pass per vehicle/FASTag
Your Top Questions Answered
Q: Is the pass mandatory?
Nope! Keep using FASTag normally if you prefer.
Q: How do I activate it?
Via Rajmarg Yatra App → Link to existing FASTag. No new tag needed.
Q: Can I share trips with family cars?
Sorry – strictly one vehicle per pass.
Q: What if I use 200 trips in 6 months?
Renew immediately or revert to pay-per-toll.
Pro Tips to Maximize Savings
- Prioritize closed-toll routes (Delhi-Mumbai, Bangalore-Chennai etc.)
- Track trips monthly in FASTag/NHAI apps
- Budget around ₹15/trip – adjust for open-toll routes
- Keep FASTag properly affixed – faulty reads = failed trips!
Real-Life Scenarios
The Daily Commuter
*4 tolls/day = 8 trips daily → Pass exhausted in 25 days. Solution: Mix with local routes.*
The Weekend Explorer
*Delhi→Jaipur (closed toll): Round trip = 2 trips → 100 vacations/year!*
The Hybrid Driver
Use pass for NH + regular FASTag for state tolls. Sync both in your app.
The Bottom Line
This pass is a no-brainer if you frequently use closed-toll highways. The govt’s “one trip” rule for entry-exit pairs makes long drives incredibly cheap. For open-toll commuters? Crunch your numbers – it still saves money, just less dramatically.
🚗 TL;DR
- Closed toll: Entry + Exit = 1 trip (BIG savings)
- Open toll: Every plaza = 1 trip
- Sweet spot: Saves most for highway-heavy drivers
Ready? Mark your calendar for August 15, 2025 activation via Rajmarg Yatra App. Fewer toll stops, more open roads!