GPS-based tolling project coming soon: Now, pay only for the distance you travel

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is all set to launch the pilot for a global positioning system (GPS)-based tolling project on the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, which is likely to benefit the road passengers.

The project, to be implemented by the NHAI, will be the pilot for the "pay as you travel" scheme announced in the 2018-19 budget.

Under the GPS-based tolling system, commuters will pay only for the distance they travel on a toll road as against the current practice of paying a fixed toll irrespective of whether they use all or a part of a road.

The GPS-based tolling system will be fully automatic and the vehicles under trial will be fitted with a FASTag, which would enable automatic deduction of toll charges after which the toll gates will open automatically. In case of a failed transaction it would be able to alert the toll operator to collect payment manually and not open the gate.

The project to be run for one year involves implementing a satellite-based electronic toll collection system running on GPS/GSM technology for around 500 commercial vehicles on the Delhi-Mumbai National Highway.

The pilot project was earlier to be implemented on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway but due to a delay in its completion, the pilot stretch was changed.

The move comes at a time when toll rates across the country have been rising. India has 362 toll plazas under the NHAI, generating revenue of more than Rs18,000 crore.

This system is currently being used in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile and Israel.

OneIndia News