In a groundbreaking development for road technology in India, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has revealed plans to replace traditional highway toll plazas with GPS-based toll collection systems. The ambitious initiative, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and convenience of road travel, is set to be implemented in April this year.
A designated consultant has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the GPS-based toll collection system on national highways, marking a significant leap forward in toll collection technology.
How Will it Work?
The new system will employ cameras strategically placed along the highway, equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. These cameras will recognize the number plates of vehicles and automatically deduct the toll amount based on the travel distance and toll plazas passed. The technology will effectively track entry and exit points on tolled segments.
The GPS-based toll collection will be introduced on a pilot basis alongside the existing FASTag system. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized that this innovative approach aims to alleviate traffic congestion and ensure motorists are charged only for the distance they have traveled on the highways.
Since the mandatory implementation of FASTags in 2021, those without FASTags are subjected to double charges. The technology has significantly reduced waiting times at tolls, from 8 minutes in 2018-19 to a mere 47 seconds, enhancing overall efficiency for travelers.
Taking a step further, the GPS toll system will streamline the payment process by automatically deducting amounts from a secured electronic payment system. This eliminates the need for users to regularly check or top up their FASTag balances.
FASTags, operating on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), facilitate electronic toll collection by utilizing passive tags on vehicles. Payments are directly processed from customers’ linked prepaid, savings, or current accounts.
The implementation of such advanced toll collection technologies has contributed to a substantial increase in the state-owned National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) toll revenue, currently standing at Rs 40,000 crore. Projections indicate a significant surge to Rs 1.40 lakh crore in the next 2-3 years.
