“Satellite Based Toll Collection to Commence Before Lok Sabha Polls”, Reveals Nitin Gadkari

Road Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari during the Rajya Sabha session on 7th Feb, 2024 revealed that satellite based toll collection system will commence before Lok Sabha 2024 election. The satellite based toll collection technology will allow barrier free movement of cars. Vehicles will not be stopped for toll collection. The road transport minister further explains that the photo of the registration plate will be captured and the toll amount will get debit based on the actual length of highway transverse by the vehicle.

Furthermore, this technology will replace the radio based identification based Fastags that were rolled out in 2016 and made mandatory from January 2021. According to Gadkari, a total of 8.13 crore Fastags have since been issued and a penetration of 98% has been achieved. Meanwhile, National Highways Authority of India had started this technology testing in Delhi and Gurgaon. They will soon conduct test in Bangalore.

For the technology to be implemented, every vehicle will have to register for Global Navigation Satellite System of toll collection, equipped with on board unit that will be linked to a constellation of satellites. The Government will also have to amend National Highway Fee Rules and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.