Ease in paying Toll Tax through GNSS, will be applicable on selected sections of National Highway

It has been informed by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that soon the GNSS-based Toll Tax system will be started on National Highway. What further information has Union Minister Nitin Gadkari given on this matter in the Rajya Sabha. Let's know.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the government will start the toll collection system through GNSS based system with Fastag. Initially, the GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system will be implemented on some sections of the National Highway on a pilot project basis as an additional facility with Fastag. Which will benefit those traveling on National Highways and Expressways.

Responding to a question by an MP in the Rajya Sabha, the Union Minister informed that this system has been tested as a pilot project on NH-275 between Bengaluru and Mysore in Karnataka and NH-709 (old NH-71A) between Panipat and Hisar in Haryana.

The government had discussed GNSS with stakeholders in an international workshop on 25 June 2024. A global Expression of Interest (EOI) has also been invited on 7 June 2024 for extensive industrial consultation, the last date for submission of which was 22 July 2024.

At present, when toll tax is paid while traveling on national highways and expressways, it is collected through Fastag. Many times there are problems with Fastag, low balance, etc., due to which other vehicles take more time. But it will not take time to collect toll through GNSS. Vehicles will be able to pay tax only when they travel at a fixed speed. Apart from this, the vehicle will have to pay tax according to the distance it travels on the national highway or expressway.