GPS-based toll collection pilot program to begin soon, may replace FASTags

In December 2023, it was reported that the National Highways Authority of India was gearing up to implement cutting-edge technologies, including GPS-based toll collection systems, by March 2024. The intention behind it of replacing the existing highway toll plazas. Now, it looks like NHAI is ready with GPS-based toll collection and is set to roll out According to multiple reports, Anurag Jain, the secretary of the Roads Ministry,said that pilot testing of the technology will start on select highways.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport, had said in December that the government was aiming to roll out the new GPS satellite-based toll collection nationwide by March next year. Gadkari had also highlighted that two pilot projects involving an automatic number plate recognition system (ANPR cameras) had been conducted. These projects aim to facilitate automated toll collection without necessitating vehicles to come to a complete stop. The overarching goal of this initiative is to alleviate traffic congestion and establish a system where motorists are charged based on the precise distance covered on highways.
How does the GPS-toll collection system work?As the name suggests, at the heart of the system is either a GPS device in your vehicle or an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera. The device tracks your movements on the road, pinpointing your entry and exit points on tolled sections. Based on your travel distance, the system identifies the toll plazas you've crossed and calculates the charges accordingly. This removes the "one-size-fits-all" approach of fixed tolls at booths, making it fairer for drivers who use shorter stretches.

Also, motorists on the road don’t have to worry about fumbling with cash or waiting for change. Or for that matter if the FASTag account or balance. The toll amount is automatically deducted from your linked account through a secure electronic payment system. This also eliminates human error and potential toll evasion.