No Toll Tax For Private Vehicles! Ministry Amends National Highways Fee Rules, But Here's A Catch

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced a major change to the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, benefiting private vehicle owners. The updated regulations, now called the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024, offer a new toll policy for vehicles equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

Under the new rules, private vehicle owners will not be charged for travelling up to 20 kilometres on highways and expressways per day if their vehicles have GNSS. For distances beyond 20 kilometres, fees will be calculated based on the actual distance travelled.

GNSS-Based Toll Collection

The notification states: "A driver, owner or person in charge of a mechanical vehicle other than a National Permit vehicle who makes use of the same section of the national highway, permanent bridge, bypass or tunnel, as the case may be, shall be levied a zero-user fee up to 20 kilometres of a journey in each direction in a day under Global Navigation Satellite System based user fee collection system."

Previously, the road ministry had announced the launch of a GNSS-based toll collection system as a pilot project alongside the existing FASTag system. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari disclosed that this pilot study was conducted on NH-275 between Bengaluru and Mysore in Karnataka and NH-709 between Panipat and Hisar in Haryana.

Stakeholder Consultation

Gadkari also mentioned that an international workshop was held on June 25, 2024, for stakeholder consultation. Additionally, an international expression of interest (EOI) was invited on June 7, 2024, with submissions due by July 22, 2024.

This amendment aims to streamline toll collection and reduce congestion at toll plazas by leveraging advanced technology. The initiative is expected to enhance efficiency and provide relief to daily commuters.

By implementing this GNSS-based system nationwide, India hopes to modernise its toll collection process while offering significant benefits to private vehicle owners. This move is part of broader efforts to improve road infrastructure and transportation efficiency across the country.