New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- The ministry of road transport and highways plans to introduce annual local passes for eligible residents living within a 20 km radius of toll plazas on national highways, two people aware of the matter said. This is expected to ease the burden of motorists who currently have the option of only a monthly pass to routinely cross the same toll plaza for work, business or local travel.

An official order allowing for these FASTag-based passes is being drafted and is likely to be notified next week, one person said.

"We received several representations from commuters that the current system of monthly local passes not only failed to eliminate the recurring burden of keeping the passes updated but the monthly charges were...