The FASTag Annual Pass, priced at ₹3000 and valid for 1 year or 200 trips, has been implemented nationwide starting August 15th. However, this pass will not be valid on the Yamuna, Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, and Agra-Lucknow Expressways in Uttar Pradesh. Toll deductions on these expressways will be made from the regular FASTag account.
Lucknow: Under the FASTag Annual Pass, implemented nationwide from August 15th, non-commercial vehicles will get the facility of toll payment for 1 year or 200 trips for ₹3000. Lakhs of users purchased this pass on the first day itself. However, this pass will not be applicable on the Yamuna, Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, and Agra-Lucknow Expressways of Uttar Pradesh because these are state highways under the state government. Toll will be paid from the regular FASTag account here.
Which Expressways Will Not Offer Pass Benefits?
The FASTag Annual Pass cannot be used on the Yamuna Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, and Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. While traveling on these four highways, toll tax will be deducted from your regular FASTag account only. This means that the annual pass payment will not work on these routes.
Why the Annual Pass is Not Applicable
Actually, these four expressways are operated by the Uttar Pradesh government. These all come under the category of state highways. Whereas the FASTag Annual Pass is valid only on National Highways. The central government implements the annual pass through the National Highway Authority of India. This is the reason why the regular FASTag account will remain active while traveling on state highways.
Price and Validity
Vehicle owners have to pay a one-time amount of ₹3000 for the FASTag Annual Pass. This pass is applicable only for non-commercial vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans. The validity of the pass lasts for one year or until 200 trips are completed. That is, the pass will be valid only until whichever condition is fulfilled first.
Lakhs Bought the Pass on the First Day
After the pass was launched on August 15, this scheme proved to be quite popular on the first day itself. By 4:30 pm, approximately 1.2 lakh users had purchased the FASTag Annual Pass. At the same time, more than 1.24 lakh transactions were recorded. This clearly shows that passengers are liking this facility a lot because it relieves them from the hassle of paying toll again and again.
What Changes Will Occur After Activation?
When you activate the ₹3000 annual pass, two accounts are created in your FASTag. One account is for the annual pass and the other remains your regular FASTag account. Whenever you pass through a national highway, the toll amount will be deducted from the annual pass. But as soon as you enter a state highway like the aforementioned expressways of UP, the toll deduction there will be from the regular FASTag account.
Facility Only for Private Vehicles
This facility is currently applicable only for private vehicles. Commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and taxis are not included in this. This directly means that this facility will be more effective for those who have to pass through national highways daily or regularly.
