GPS-based toll collection systems to replace highway toll plazas: Nitin Gadkari
New Delhi: The toll plazas that often disrupt smooth travel experiences may soon become a thing of the past, as Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the GPS-based toll collection systems will replace existing highway toll plazas across the country, media reports said.
The transition is slated to start as early as April this year, according to the Road Transport and Highways Minister.
The government has already engaged a consultant to execute the implementation of a GPS-based toll collection system on national highways, the minister said on Thursday, according to the reports.
Furthermore, the Road Transport and Highways Minister highlighted that the system will be introduced initially on a trial basis and function along with the existing FASTags, said the media reports.
This effort is aimed at easing traffic congestion and charge motorists accurately for the distance travelled on highways.
Earlier, Gadkari said that the toll revenue of the state-owned NHAI stands at Rs 40,000 crore and is expected to increase to Rs 1.40 lakh crore over the next 2-3 years.
How GPS-based toll collection works
The GPS-based electronic toll collection system will use an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system with the help of cameras installed along highways to deduct tolls based on the distance covered by a vehicle.
In contrast, the existing FASTags use RFID-based toll collection at toll plazas.
With the new system, the vehicle's movements are tracked as one drives, accurately recording entry and exit points of the vehicle on tolled sections.
By calculating the distance the vehicle travelled, the system identifies the toll plazas one has passed through and calculates the charges accordingly.
This approach eliminates the uniformity of fixed tolls at booths, ensuring fairness for drivers covering shorter distances.
Moreover, drivers no longer need to worry about handling cash, waiting for change, or checking their FASTag account balance while on the road.
The toll fee is automatically deducted from your linked account using a secure electronic payment system.
This automated process also reduces the risk of human errors and toll evasion.
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