Karnataka commercial vehicle operators demand inclusion in FASTag annual toll scheme-OxBig News Network

A newly announced toll concession for private vehicle users has sparked discontent among commercial transport operators in Karnataka, who argue that they too deserve similar benefits given their heavy use of national highways.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) recently unveiled an annual FASTag pass scheme for non-commercial vehicles at a fixed cost of ₹3,000, aiming to streamline toll payments and promote digital transactions. The scheme, set to take effect on August 15, 2025, promises significant savings for private motorists but has left the commercial vehicle sector feeling sidelined.

While transport unions representing commercial vehicle operators such as cabs, taxis, buses, trucks, goods carriers, and maxi cabs have raised strong objections to their exclusion. These operators argue that they traverse highways far more frequently and incur far higher toll expenses annually, making them deserving of concessional toll packages.

“Private vehicles don’t frequently use national highways. They typically hit highways only during long-distance travel. In contrast, commercial vehicles whether it’s a long-haul lorry, intercity cab, or a tourist bus cover hundreds of kilometres every single day. They cross numerous toll plazas across multiple states. If toll relief is really the intention, then commercial vehicles should be the first to benefit,” Radhakrishna Holla, president of the Karnataka State Travel Operators Association (KSTOA) told The Hindu.

According to Mr. Holla, the KSTOA has written a formal request to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urging that the annual FASTag scheme be extended to commercial vehicles as well. “Taxi drivers and public transport providers are among the most frequent users of highways. Even a single cab operator ends up paying more than ₹30,000 annually in tolls. A package like this could significantly reduce their burden, especially when fuel and maintenance costs are already skyrocketing,” he added.

Nataraj Sharma, president of the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations, described the toll expenses for commercial vehicles as “exorbitant and unsustainable.” Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Sharma said, “We end up shelling out thousands of rupees every year, just on tolls alone. For fleet owners with dozens of vehicles, this cost is multiplied several times over. It’s only fair that the government offers similar annual pass options for commercial vehicle operators. These businesses form the backbone of logistics, public transport, and urban mobility. Without support, many small-scale operators will find it difficult to stay afloat.”

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on June 18 that users of private vehicles will soon be able to make up to 200 highway trips in a year by paying just ₹3,000 in toll fees. “For a long time, there were concerns over toll fee. This decision will provide a big relief to the public. The average toll fee will come down to ₹15 from ₹50 to ₹100,” Mr. Gadkari said in a video message posted on X.

According to him, the new pass available exclusively to private four-wheelers like cars, jeeps, and vans will slash toll costs. The toll fees for 200 trips, which was ₹10,000 currently, would be brought down to ₹3,000 after the annual pass is rolled out, resulting in a huge savings for the public, he said.

The government has amended Rule 9 under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, to implement the annual pass system. A dedicated portal for purchasing and renewing the pass will be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra app as well as through the websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and MoRTH.