The newly proposed satellite-based tolls will not just modernise the entire system but also ensure seamless travel and reduce congestion on roads, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.
The Minister, while addressing a day long International Workshop on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based Electronic Toll Collection in India, also said that the technology will enhance navigation and positioning and is another step towards easing citizens’ lives, making governance more transparent, and providing faster services.
To provide seamless and barrier-free tolling experience on National Highways, Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI, organised the workshop. It provided a unique platform to both industry and global experts to deliberate various aspects related to smooth implementation of the free-flow tolling system based on GNSS technology in India, the Ministry said in a statement.
Multiple panel discussions were held at the workshop, where varied industrial and technical professionals along with global GNSS experts deliberated upon different aspects that included On-Board Units (OBU), commercial vehicles and NH fee rules, Toll Charger Software, role of issuer entity and essentials of road infrastructure for successful implementation of multi-lane free flow GNSS based Electronic Toll Collection in India.
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said that over the past decade, road network has expanded manifolds and National Highways carries over 70 per cent of the country’s freight along with the passenger traffic.
“Implementing GNSS will immensely contribute not only towards growth of our economy but will also make barrierless tolling a reality for our citizens,” he said.
The Technology
GNSS-based tolling is a barrier free method of Electronic Toll Collection wherein the road users are charged on the distance they have travelled on the tolled Highway stretch.
The NHAI plans to implement the GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system within the existing FASTag ecosystem, initially using a hybrid model where both RFID-based ETC and GNSS-based ETC will operate simultaneously.
Dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles using the GNSS-based ETC to pass through freely. As GNSS based ETC becomes more widespread, all lanes will eventually be converted to GNSS lanes
Implementation of GNSS based Electronic Toll Collection in India will facilitate smooth movement of vehicles along the National Highways and is envisaged to provide many benefits to highway users such as barrier less free-flow tolling leading to hassle-free riding experience and distance-based tolling.
The GNSS based Electronic Toll Collection will also help to plug leakages and check toll evaders resulting in more efficient toll collection system across the country.
Earlier this month, News18 had reported that the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has taken a crucial step in the direction of making satellite-based tolling a reality.
The ministry has invited global expressions of interest from innovative and qualified companies to develop and implement GNSS-based electronic toll collection in India.
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