Last Updated on 28/07/2024 by wccexam Desk
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari abolished the existing Toll system
Satellite Based Toll Collection System, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the introduction of GNSS-based toll collection system in place of traditional toll collection methods on some national highways. Gadkari said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that a pilot study on GNSS-based user fee collection system has been conducted on Bengaluru-Mysore section of NH-275 in Karnataka and Panipat-Hisar section of NH-709 in Haryana. He informed that stakeholder consultation was held through an international workshop on June 25, 2024. Additionally, global expression of interest (EOI) for wider industry consultation was invited on June 7, 2024, with the last date for submission being July 22, 2024. Earlier in December, Nitin Gadkari had announced that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) aims to implement this new system by March 2024. The World Bank has been informed about efforts to streamline processes and reduce waiting time at toll plazas.
GNSS based tolling system will have virtual toll
Let us tell you, for the satellite based toll system, the government will use GNSS based tolling system which will replace the existing electronic toll collection system. Let us tell you that the existing system works on RFID tags which automatically collect toll. On the other hand, there will be virtual tolls in the GNSS based tolling system. That is, the tolls will be present, but you will not see them. For this, virtual gantries will be installed. Which will be connected to GNSS enabled vehicles. During this, when the vehicle passes through these virtual tolls, money will be deducted from the user’s account. India has its own navigation systems GAGAN and NavIC. With the help of these, it will be easy to track vehicles. Along with this, the user’s data will also be secure.
In the current toll system based on fast tag, you have to pay the full toll even for a short distance when you use the highway. Whereas, in the satellite toll system, you will have to pay toll only for the distance you travel. That means you can avoid paying additional toll tax. However, how much toll tax the government will levy for how much distance can be revealed after the implementation of the satellite toll system.