New GPS-based toll system to replace existing toll system
Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari announced that the Indian government plans to implement new technologies such as GPS-based toll collection systems to replace current highway toll plazas within the next six months. Gadkari announces plan to replace highway toll plazas with GPS-based toll collection systems within 6 months, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and charging motorists for the exact distance travelled
Speaking at a CII event, Mr. Gadkari stated that NHAI‘s toll revenue of Rs.40,000 crore is expected to increase to Rs.1.40 lakh crore in the next 2-3 years. “The government is looking at new technologies including GPS-based toll systems to replace toll plazas in the country…We will bring new technology in six months,” he said.
The Union Minister is conducting a pilot project of an automatic number plate recognition system (automatic number plate reader cameras) to enable automated toll collection without stopping vehicles.
During 2018-19, the average vehicle waiting time at toll plazas was 8 minutes. With the introduction of FASTags during 2020-21 and 2021-22, the average waiting time of the vehicles has come down to 47 seconds.
Although there is considerable improvement in waiting time at certain locations, especially near cities, the densely populated towns there are still some delays at toll plazas during peak hours.
The Gadkari emphasized the need of reducing the cost of construction without compromising the quality.
PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
Will they use GPS or NAVIC technology ? If they are planning to use GPS then it would be a great shame for the country. Hope this will not be some knee jerk sci-fi fantasy and proper evaluation of technology would be done. I have seen Ola drivers being underpaid due to wrong distance on GPS map. It is not very encouraging to see such hype on dubious technologies. India is not a small place like Singapore to have roads and other infrastructure in every nook and corner of the country.