What is the new toll rule?
Under the new rulesPrivate vehicle drivers will be able to travel without paying a toll for up to 20 kilometres on national roads, highways, bridges and tunnels.
This applies to vehicles equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) on-board unit, which tracks the distance traveled.
If the distance exceeds 20 kilometers, a fee will be charged for the actual distance traveled.
The rule excludes vehicles with national permits, used primarily for commercial transport.
In addition, the Ministry plans to introduce exclusive lanes for vehicles equipped with GNSS units.
Drivers entering these lanes without a functional GNSS unit will face fines – double the regular toll rate.
Who will benefit?
This The new policy will benefit Millions of private vehicle owners frequently travel short distances on motorways.
Commuters who use the same stretch of highway daily for work or errands will especially benefit from this, as they will now be able to avoid paying tolls on shorter trips, according to the official notice.
By integrating GNSS technology, the toll collection process will be more efficient.
Traffic at toll plazas could slow down because drivers with GNSS units will be automatically charged for longer distances, the notice said.
This will eliminate the need to pay tolls manually or stop at toll booths.
How will it work?
The system will work through a satellite tracking system that will measure the distance traveled by a vehicle on a road.
GNSS units will be installed in cars and toll rates will be calculated based on the distance travelled.
The Ministry initially tested this system through pilot projects alongside existing ones. FASTag system.
For now, GNSS will not replace FASTag, but as the technology develops, it could eventually become the primary toll collection system.
According to Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, Director and Practice Leader, Transport and Logistics at CRISIL, the initiative is a positive step, but implementation costs and operational challenges will require close monitoring.
He noted that while FASTag will remain, the transition to GNSS could happen over time, depending on how well the system is received.
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