NHAI introduced a Rs 3,000 annual toll pass for private vehicles offering either 200 toll-free trips or a year’s validity. A Noida resident is making waves on social media for demonstrating the pass’s value through an impressive road trip.
This individual covered roughly 11,000 kilometers in 25 days using his Mahindra Thar. His adventure spanned 13 states, including visits to 12 Jyotirlingas and four Dhams. The traveler jokingly suggested an award for maximizing the pass’s usage.
Starting with 199 trips, the pass still had 80 remaining after the journey, indicating travel through around 119 toll plazas. Without the pass, tolls would have been between Rs 15,000 to Rs 17,000, highlighting the savings the pass provided.
Not all roads accepted the pass. An extra Rs 1,200 was paid on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, and an additional Rs 2,400 was spent in Tamil Nadu and other locations. He also drove an extra 200 kilometers for the experience, increasing diesel costs. Despite this, the pass was seen as highly valuable.
The video, uploaded to Instagram on September 24, has over 1 million views and has garnered praise. One user called it an accomplishment, while another shared their positive experience. Some users questioned the extra toll charges with an annual pass.
The NHAI’s rules specify that this pass is only for private vehicles (cars, jeeps, vans) with an active, non-blacklisted Fastag. Vehicles registered by chassis number must be updated. Commercial vehicles are excluded.
The experience showcases how the NHAI’s annual toll pass can be a smart choice for long-distance travel, offering significant savings despite some limitations.