look news india
FASTag new rules November 1: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have issued new guidelines for drivers passing through National Highways across the country and residents near toll plazas. A major change in the concessional local pass system is going to be implemented at toll plazas from November 1. To provide relief to the local people living near toll plazas from recurring toll tax during daily commute, the government has decided to launch a new ‘Annual Concessional Local FASTag Pass’. Under this new rule, eligible vehicle owners will get the facility of toll crossing for only ₹ 1,500 for a year.
Till now, local residents living within a radius of 20 kilometers of the toll plaza had to renew the monthly local pass every month, which cost around ₹ 340 to ₹ 360 per month. This expenditure used to exceed ₹ 4,000 in a year. According to the new rules coming into effect from November 1, now eligible local residents will be able to get a one-time annual pass. This will save both time and money of the local people and the hassle of repeatedly renewing monthly passes at toll points will end.
According to the gazette notification of the ministry, the rates of annual local pass will depend on the geographical location of the toll plaza:
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₹1,500 per year: If the toll plaza is located in a rural area outside any municipal limits or local urban limits.
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₹3,000 per year: If the concerned toll plaza is located within any municipality or local municipal corporation limits. The government may review these rates on 1st April of every financial year as per requirement.
This concessional pass is not for all vehicles, but has strict eligibility rules:
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20 kilometer radius: It is mandatory for the permanent or present residence of the vehicle owner to be within a maximum radius of 20 km from the concerned National Highway Toll Plaza.
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Non-Commercial Vehicles: This facility will be applicable only for light passenger vehicles (cars, jeeps, vans) registered for private and non-commercial use. This pass will not be valid on taxis, cabs or commercial vehicles.
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Active and valid FASTag: The vehicle must have an active, blacklist-free and validly affixed FASTag on the windscreen.
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Matching name in documents: The name recorded on the vehicle’s registration certificate (RC) and the details recorded in the address proof (such as voter ID, electricity bill or residence proof linked to DigiLocker) must match.
The rules also impose some clear restrictions so that the exemption is not misused:
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Valid at only one toll plaza: This local pass will be valid only for the specific toll plaza for which it has been issued. Normal toll fee will be payable at other toll plazas further on the highway.
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Invalid on closed toll system: This local pass will not be applicable on expressways or highways where closed toll collection system (distance based toll, where scanning is done at entry and exit) is applicable.
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Existence of alternative or service roads: If there is already a service road or alternative bypass route available for local movement near that toll plaza, then the vehicle owner will not be considered eligible for this concessional pass.
Local vehicle owners can easily apply online for this Annual Local Pass:
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NHAI official on your smartphone ‘Rajmargyatra’ Download the mobile app or visit the online portal of the respective toll operator.
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Login with your registered mobile number and click on the link given on the homepage. ‘Local Pass/Annual Pass’ Select the option.
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Select your vehicle registration number (RC Number) and the nearest toll plaza.
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For address verification, get the digital copy of residence proof and RC verified through DigiLocker.
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After completing the eligibility check, make the prescribed fee payment of ₹1,500 or ₹3,000 online (UPI/Net Banking).
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As soon as the payment is successful, the annual local pass will be linked to your active Fastag, after which you can easily travel through that toll plaza without any frequent deduction of money throughout the year.