The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, on September 10, announced significant updates to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. The new amendments pave the way for toll collection using satellite-based systems, marking a major shift in how tolls will be charged on India’s highways.
According to the revised rules, vehicles equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) devices, including the United States’ GPS, will now be able to pay tolls automatically based on the distance traveled. This new system will work alongside the existing FASTag and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.
Additionally, special lanes will be set up at toll plazas for GNSS-enabled vehicles, allowing them to pass without stopping for payment. These changes are part of the government’s plan to modernize toll collection and ease traffic congestion on highways.
How GPS-Based Toll Collection Works
Currently, tolls are collected at physical plazas, even with the widespread use of FASTag. The new GPS-based system will calculate tolls using satellites and onboard tracking systems, ensuring that charges are based on the exact distance a vehicle travels. This technology eliminates the need for toll booths, speeding up traffic flow and reducing wait times.
Difference Between GPS Tolling and FASTag
Unlike FASTag, which relies on RFID tags to deduct toll charges, the satellite-based system uses GNSS technology, including the GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system, India’s own satellite-based augmentation system, for more precise toll calculation. This system provides real-time tracking, enhancing the accuracy of distance-based tolling.
How the New System Will Work
Vehicles will be equipped with On-Board Units (OBUs), which serve as tracking devices. These OBUs will interact with satellites to monitor the vehicle’s journey and calculate the toll based on the distance traveled. The toll fees will be directly deducted from the vehicle owner’s linked bank account. Initially, the system will be rolled out on select highways and expressways before expanding to more areas.
OBUs, much like FASTags, will be made available via government portals, and over time, manufacturers may install them in vehicles by default. A zero-toll zone of up to 20 kilometres will also be introduced for vehicles using GNSS, after which tolls will be charged based on the distance traveled.
Challenges Ahead: Despite the promise of more efficient toll collection, the transition to a GPS-based system poses several challenges. India’s extensive road network, stretching over 6.67 million kilometres, will require significant upgrades to infrastructure. Additionally, the existing FASTag system may need to be replaced, which could introduce new financial considerations for users.
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