Toll booths to be removed, GPS-based toll collection within 1 year, says Nitin Gadkari

However, there may be several issues with the implementation of such a system

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the government will remove all toll booths and implement complete GPS-based toll collection within one year.

"I want to assure the House that within one year all physical toll booths in the country will be removed. It means that toll collection will happen via GPS. The money will be collected based on GPS imaging (on vehicles)," Gadkari said in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

As per the proposed system, there will be no physical toll plazas on highways. Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be fixed at all the entry and exit points of the roads. The toll charges for the vehicle will automatically be deducted from the FASTag wallet linked to the vehicle registration number after reading the registration number plate. In this system, vehicles need not stop or slow down to pay toll charges.

The new system is also called a closed tolling system. Once the system is established, vehicle users have to pay for the kilometres travelled rather than paying for the entire stretch. However, the company, which is authorised to collect toll charges, will set up check posts near entry and exit gates to monitor if vehicles are using the toll corridors even without having FASTag wallets.

However, implementing this will be a challenge due to non-uniform number plates and possible violation of norms by commuters. Not updating addresses by vehicles owners could let to a problem to send challans for violating rules like avoiding toll amount or damaged number plates or for the use of fake number plates.

"The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will implement the new system on select expressways on a pilot basis. It will address the problems faced during its execution," said an official in the Road Transport Ministry.

At present 93% of the vehicles pay toll using FASTag, but the remaining 7% have still not taken to it despite the imposition of double toll for vehicles without a FASTag.

The minister said he has instructed a police inquiry into those vehicles that do not pay toll using FASTags. There are cases of toll theft and GST evasion cases if FASTags are not fitted in vehicles.

FASTags, which facilitate electronic payment of fee at toll plazas, was introduced in 2016.

From February 16, vehicles without FASTag are required to pay double toll fee at electronic toll plazas across the country.

(With inputs from PTI)