India to Revolutionize Highway Travel: New Toll Policy to Charge Per Kilometer, Eliminate Queues
India to Revolutionize Highway Travel: New Toll Policy to Charge Per Kilometer, Eliminate Queues
In a significant move set to transform highway travel across India, the government is on the verge of implementing a new toll policy that will introduce a “pay-as-you-go” system, charging motorists based on the exact distance travelled on expressways and national highways. This innovative approach aims to bring greater fairness and efficiency to toll collection, providing considerable relief to commuters.
The forthcoming policy, which has been long-awaited, promises to make toll payments more economical and convenient. Under the new system, cameras installed at toll booths will record vehicle number plates, and the corresponding toll charge will be automatically deducted via FASTag, India’s electronic toll collection system.
How the New System Will Work:
Currently, motorists pay a fixed fee at toll plazas regardless of the distance covered on a particular highway stretch. The new “Fastag-based Kilometer Toll Policy” will change this by introducing a distance-based charge.
- Distance-Based Billing:Â Drivers will only pay for the actual kilometers travelled on the highway.
- Automated Deduction:Â High-performance Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will capture vehicle number plates at entry and exit points. This data, combined with GPS (Global Navigation Satellite System – GNSS) technology, will calculate the distance covered.
- FASTag Integration:Â The calculated toll amount will be automatically deducted from the vehicle owner’s linked FASTag account.
- Elimination of Toll Plazas:Â A key objective of this policy is to eventually remove physical toll plazas, drastically reducing congestion and travel time.
Benefits for Commuters:
This new system is expected to offer several advantages for road users:
- Fairer Charges:Â Pay only for the exact distance utilized, ensuring a more equitable toll payment.
- Reduced Travel Time:Â The elimination of stops at toll plazas will lead to faster and smoother journeys.
- Fuel Savings:Â Less idling at toll booths will result in reduced fuel consumption.
- Hassle-Free Experience:Â The automated deduction process will remove the need for manual payments and the associated delays.
- Transparency:Â Real-time tracking and automated calculations aim for greater transparency in toll collection.
While reports suggest that an annual pass option (e.g., ₹3,000 for unlimited travel) is also under consideration for frequent users, the core of the new policy revolves around the distance-based charging model. Initial estimates suggest a charge of approximately ₹50 per 100 kilometers for cars.
The government’s push towards this advanced, technology-driven toll collection system underscores its commitment to modernizing India’s road infrastructure and enhancing the overall travel experience for its citizens.
