After the RFID-based FASTag system, the Government of India is now preparing to adopt a GPS-based technology for toll collection systems, making the toll collection process more convenient & hassle-free. The government has set a two-year target to make most of the highways “toll-booth free”- revealed by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), and MSME.
How will a GPS-based toll collection system work?
As the name suggests, the GPS (Global positioning system) based toll collection technique will track the movements of the vehicles, and upon crossing the predetermined area limit, the toll-amount will be automatically subtracted from the linked bank account of the vehicle owner, accordingly.
Also Read: FASTags Will Be Mandatory For All Cars From January 2021
If reports are to be believed, this toll collection method will be introduced in multiple phases. In the initial phase, the govt will launch this system for commercial vehicles first, and in the second phase, the private vehicles will be brought under this system. Currently, all new commercial vehicles come equipped with GPS tracking technology. MoRTH is also planning to connect old commercial vehicles through this tech.
This system will ensure seamless transportation as there will be no physical restrictions in the form of toll-plazas. In fact, the govt is also projecting an increase in the toll income by a huge margin. As per Nitin Gadkaris's statement, the toll collection for the current fiscal year may reach Rs 34,000 crore by its end, and by using GPS-based tech for toll collection, the govt's toll income could stretch around Rs 1.34 trillion in the next 5 years.
Also Read: MoRTH: Only BIS-Certified Helmets Will Be Sold From June 2021
As of now, the govt hasn't revealed much details about this system, and I'm sure you also have many questions about this. Stay tuned with gaadify to get answers about its intricacies.