NHAI Annual Pass: Fastag is going to benefit the owners of vehicles from the annual pass, but this may cause a loss of Rs 4,500 crore to the National Highway Authority every year.
Nhai annual pass process: The central government started the fastag annual pass from 15 August 2025 for private non-commercial trains in the country. From this, the train owner can use it up to one year or 200 toll transactions, whichever is earlier, by paying Rs 3,000. This facility was implemented at 1,150 toll plazas across the country. In the first four days, there was a strong response for this facility. The owners of more than 5 lakh vehicles made the fastag annual pass, but, seeing the new reports that has come out now, it seems that the government may suffer losses in the coming time. In fact, the rating agency ICRA believes that the National Highway Authority (NHAI) can be seen from this pass with an additional burden of up to Rs 4,500 crore every year. ICRA estimates that if the agency starts giving full compensation to the companies charging toll fees, then NHAI’s earnings will decrease. Come, let’s know about it in detail.
How will the National Highways Authority suffer loss?
NHAI had said that the government would compensate the loss of toll operators. For this, a uniform compensation system has been implemented. Now according to ICRA, if every government fills their losses, then it can cost NHAI to a burden of Rs 4,200 to 4,500 crore.
Main Plints of ICRA Report
Passenger cars get at least 35-40 percent of the toll earnings from passenger cars. People traveling less intercity or taxi drivers will not be able to benefit more and it will affect only six to seven percent of the total toll collection. In the financial year 2025, NHAI acquired a total of Rs 72,931 crore from the toll. This earnings may also decrease in 2026.
This annual pass gives relief to the common people, but this may reduce NHAI and the government’s earnings. Currently, toll operators will be compensated for three months. After the new contractors will have to bid according to the annual pass data. It is clear that the fastag annual pass has provided relief and convenience to the passengers. But reports suggest that this may cause a loss of thousands of crores to NHAI every year.