Synopsis: The National Highways Authority of India has introduced 2 new digital services on the RajmargYatra mobile app. Here’s everything you need to know about the new features, eligibility, benefits, and how they simplify highway travel in India.
In order to achieve Government of India’s vision of Digital India and improving Ease of living of the people who live in India , NHAI is making the digital ecosystem strong for people who use the National Highway, by introducing two major citizen-centric features on the Rajmarg Yatra Mobile App. The new initiative wants to make travel more seamless by providing digital services that are actually helpful, so that there is no need for manual paperwork and commuters can be assisted faster.
What is the Digital Local Pass?
With the ‘Local Pass’ feature the eligible commuters can purchase the toll pass digitally through the RajmargYatra Mobile App, they do not need to visit the toll plaza physically. Currently, the first facility of digital local toll pass has been introduced at the Mundka – Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) in Delhi and will be rolled out at other toll plazas across the country in the coming months.
Residents who live within a 20 km radius of toll plaza which is eligible can purchase a ‘Local Pass’ digitally through Rajmarg Yatra Mobile App, which will allow unlimited travel through that toll plaza during the month. Earlier, commuters had to visit the toll plaza physically and submit the required documents to establish their eligibility but now under the new digital framework, the entire process can now be completed online within a few minutes.
Who is Eligible for the Digital Local Pass?
The Digital Local Pass is for people who own private, non-commercial vehicles and live within 20km of the toll plaza. To get a Digital Local Pass you need a FASTag that’s valid, your vehicle registration details linked to VAHAN and address proof which can be verified digitally.
How Does the Digital Local Pass Work?
People who are eligible can get the Digital Local Pass by using the RajmargYatra app, they have to go through a verification process that’s completely online. The app checks documents with DigiLocker, it uses VAHAN to make sure the vehicle details are correct and it also uses FASTag to pay tolls. The Digital Local Pass uses GIS-based address verification to find out where the person lives, when everything is verified the Local Pass is given to the person online.
What is MargMitra Help Centre?
Further enhancing services for National Highway users, NHAI has also introduced ‘MargMitra’ Help Centre, an intelligent digital assistance platform integrated within the Rajmarg Yatra Mobile App. Designed as a single-window interface for National Highway users ‘MargMitra’ will enable commuters to access information, seek assistance and register grievances through an intuitive conversational interface.
Services Available Through MargMitra
Users can simply type or speak their queries, feedback or grievances in any of the 22 Indian languages, and the platform provides them with appropriate information or guides them to the relevant service. The Help Centre provides instant assistance on a wide range of services, including FASTag recharge, KYC requirements, refund status, Annual and Local Pass services and other frequently asked queries.
For issues requiring intervention, National Highway users can directly lodge complaints through the Help Centre, which are automatically routed to the department concerned for timely grievance resolution. The platform also enables commuters to monitor the progress of their complaints in real time and provides an option to file an appeal if they are not satisfied with the resolution. ‘MargMitra’ also allows users to check FASTag blacklisting status, view pending e-Notices and report road safety concerns such as stalled vehicles or encroachments on National Highways.
Key Benefits for Highway Users
- Paperless process: Apply for and renew the Digital Local Pass without visiting toll plazas.
- Single platform: Access FASTag services, Local Passes, grievance redressal, and travel assistance through the RajmargYatra app.
- Faster verification: Digital validation using DigiLocker, VAHAN, FASTag, and GIS-based address verification.
- Real-time support: Register and track complaints directly through the MargMitra Help Centre.
- Multilingual assistance: Get support via text or voice in 22 Indian languages.
- Greater convenience: Manage multiple highway-related services anytime from a smartphone.
- Improved transparency: Track application status, refunds, complaints, and service requests digitally.
