Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announce plans to phase out traditional toll plazas in India. This announcement comes as part of a move towards implementing GPS-based toll collection systems nationwide, with the transition set to begin as early as April 2024.
Nitin Gadkari reveal that the government has appoint a consultant to oversee the implementation of the new GPS-based toll collection system on national highways.
The propose system will operate alongside the existing FASTag system, with a pilot programme slated for introduction.
The aim is to accurately charge motorists based on the exact distance travel on the highways, thereby mitigating traffic congestion and streamlining toll collection processes.
As per Nitin Gadkari, the current toll revenue for state-own National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) stands at Rs 40,000 crore, with projections indicating a significant increase to Rs 1.40 lakh crore within the next 2-3 years.
How Will GPS-Based Toll Collection Work?
Under the proposed GPS-based toll collection system, all vehicles will be require to be equip with GPS (Global Positioning System) technology.
This will involve the installation of micro-controllers with third-generation (3G) and GPS connectivity in vehicles, allowing the government to track their movements and determine the toll charges based on the routes taken and toll gates pass through.
Currently, tolls are typically collect at the end of a specific stretch of road or project, with fix rates apply for distances of approximately 60 km.
But, the new system will enable more precise toll collection based on actual distance travel.
Difference between GPS-Based Toll and FASTag
As the existing FASTag system utilises Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for automatic toll deduction as vehicles approach toll booths, GPS-based toll collection will track vehicles continuously throughout their journey.
FASTag, which deducts tolls only upon reaching a toll plaza, the GPS-based system will collect tolls based on real-time vehicle movement data.
It is speculate that GPS-enable FASTags may be utilise for this purpose by NHAI, providing a seamless transition to the new toll collection method.
This shift towards GPS-based toll collection represents a significant step forward in modernising India’s highway infrastructure and improving the efficiency of toll collection methods.
