New Toll Policy Draft 2025 NHAI: To make highway travel smoother and more affordable, the government is set to roll out a barrier-free tolling policy. According to sources involved in drafting the new policy, only monthly passes are issued currently, which offer relief at a specific toll plaza for locals. Earlier, the Union Minister of Road Transport And Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had spoken about the plan to offer the option of annual and lifetime pass for private vehicles in the country.
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To address toll-related issues on national highways and expressways, the government is introducing a new barrier-free toll policy that could cut toll charges by up to 50 per cent for commuters.
Commuters can buy an annual toll pass for Rs 3,000. This one-time payment will cover travel on national highways, expressways, and state highways.
There’s no need for a separate pass. The annual toll fee will be deducted directly through the FASTag account.
Earlier, a lifetime pass for Rs 30,000 (valid for 15 years) was proposed. But it was dropped due to objections from private concessionaires and banks, and varying vehicle age rules across states.
The Delhi-Jaipur highway is expected to be the first route under this new tolling system, offering a trial run for nationwide rollout.
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system will be implemented nationwide by year-end, ensuring smoother toll collection without physical barriers.
In 2024-25, the government earned Rs 61,000 crore through toll collection. Private vehicles contributed 20-21 per cent, while commercial and heavy vehicles accounted for 79-80 per cent. (Image Credit: File)
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