Digital Scoop India Official Platform of Digital Scoop India Featuring Latest & Best News #Articles #Bytes #Entertainment #DigitalScoopMagazine
Related Articles
The central government is considering implementing an annual pass system to replace the existing toll collection mechanism on national highways, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. This initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency and provide greater convenience to road users.
Gadkari highlighted ongoing efforts to introduce barrier-free toll collection, citing pilot projects in locations such as Gharonda, Choryasi, Nemili, UER-II, and the Dwarka Expressway. As part of this initiative, a satellite-based tolling system was tested, which was exclusively reported by Hindustan Times earlier this month. The government is also evaluating the feasibility of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) FASTag-based system for seamless toll collection.
Challenges in Implementing Satellite-Based Tolling
The minister noted that while satellite-based tolling is a potential long-term solution, its implementation requires additional satellite constellations to achieve the necessary positional accuracy. Furthermore, the development of appropriate receivers capable of interpreting these signals remains a technical hurdle. “Moving towards satellite-based tolling requires further deliberations,” Gadkari stated in response to queries from lawmakers Dineshbhai Makwana and Dharambir Singh about transparency in toll fee collection.
Transparency in Toll Collection
Gadkari reiterated that toll rates are determined as per the National Highway-Fee Rules, 2008. To ensure transparency, the government mandates that fee rates be displayed at toll plazas and published on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website. Additionally, any changes in user fee rates for each financial year are publicized through newspapers and made available in the public domain.
Implementation of Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS)
In response to a query from lawmaker Rajkumar Chahar, Gadkari stated that the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) has been deployed across 325 national highway projects, covering approximately 20,000 kilometers. The system is gradually being expanded to national highways with four or more lanes to enhance traffic monitoring and management.
The proposed transition to an annual pass system is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize India’s road infrastructure and ensure a more seamless experience for commuters. Further deliberations and pilot projects will determine the feasibility of fully implementing the new toll collection mechanism nationwide.
Sources By Agencies
