Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has issued directives aimed at addressing the persistent issues of double toll charges and arbitrary practices at toll booths. In a recent address to officials, Gadkari underscored the importance of creating a more efficient toll collection system to alleviate the difficulties faced by travelers. His recommendations focus on resolving complaints related to unfair toll charges and penalties, including those experienced by Fastag users, ultimately aiming to enhance the travel experience on India’s highways and expressways.
Addressing Persistent Toll Issues
India’s highway and expressway network continues to expand, accompanied by the collection of toll taxes. However, travelers have frequently encountered arbitrary practices at toll booths, such as excessive charges and unjust penalties despite using Fastag. Recognizing these challenges, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the need for reforms during a recent program, offering solutions to mitigate these ongoing problems.
Public Grievances and Efficient Resolution
Gadkari noted the increasing number of complaints regarding arbitrary toll charges and double tolling at various plazas. Many of these grievances, especially those from Fastag users, remain unaddressed, leading to public frustration. To combat these issues, Gadkari proposed the establishment of a public grievance system. This system would enable affected individuals to file complaints directly at toll booths or via a designated mobile number. Emphasizing the need for swift action, Gadkari suggested that complaints should be resolved within an hour to ensure fairness and prevent arbitrary charges. This initiative is designed to prevent toll booths from imposing extra charges unfairly and to eliminate penalties on vehicles equipped with Fastag.
Fastag Usage and Toll Collection Statistics
Gadkari provided insightful statistics about vehicle and toll collection patterns in India. The country has a total of 127 million vehicles, which includes 72 million four-wheelers, 40 million trucks, and approximately 15 million commercial vehicles. He noted that 25% of these vehicles are not equipped with Fastag, while around 90 million vehicles use Fastag for toll payments. Additionally, 3% of the population remains unwilling to adopt Fastag.
Enhancing Revenue with Advanced Technology
In terms of revenue, Gadkari highlighted that 75% of toll collection comes from trucks and commercial vehicles, with the remaining 25% collected from cars. Currently, toll collections amount to INR 54,000 crore. Gadkari projected that the introduction of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) could potentially increase this revenue by an additional INR 10,000 crore, showcasing the significant financial benefits of adopting advanced technology in toll collection.
