In a groundbreaking announcement, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed plans to replace traditional highway toll plazas with GPS-based tolls by April 2024. The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency, speed, and hassle-free movement of vehicles on the country’s highways. Utilizing cameras strategically placed on roadways, the GPS-based electronic toll collection system will employ Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to seamlessly deduct the required toll amounts by scanning the vehicles’ number plates.
Gadkari stated, “The Government is looking at new technologies, including GPS-based toll systems, to replace toll plazas in the country. We will bring new technology in the next six months.”
The innovative system will be introduced on a pilot basis alongside the existing FASTags, further streamlining the toll collection process. The introduction of GPS-based tolls is poised to charge travelers precisely for the distance they cover, marking a departure from fixed toll rates.
Since the compulsory implementation of FASTags in 2021, there has been a significant reduction in waiting times at toll plazas. In 2018-19, the average waiting time was 8 minutes, but with FASTags, it plummeted to just 47 seconds. This contributed to decreased traffic congestion and increased overall efficiency for travelers.
The new system will also alleviate concerns for travelers who previously had to carry cash or monitor their FASTag bank balance during journeys. Toll fees will be deducted seamlessly from the traveler’s linked bank account through a secure electronic payment system.
