The government plans to introduce an annual pass system to replace toll collection on national highways, aiming to improve operational efficiency and enhance convenience for road users, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Gadkari highlighted a pilot project for barrier-free toll collection at locations such as Gharonda, Choryasi, Nemili, UER-II, and the Dwarka Expressway. He mentioned that a satellite-based toll system had been introduced, as exclusively reported by Hindustan Times earlier this month. Additionally, he noted that pilot locations would alternatively operate using an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) FASTag-based system for seamless toll collection.
He explained that satellite-based tolling requires additional satellite constellations to ensure precise positioning, along with the development of compatible receivers to integrate with India’s navigation system. “Therefore, transitioning to satellite-based tolling requires further deliberation,” Gadkari said while responding to lawmakers Dineshbhai Makwana and Dharambir Singh’s queries regarding transparency in toll fees.
According to Gadkari, toll rates are determined by the National Highway-Fee Rules, 2008, and displayed at each plaza as well as on the National Highway Authority of India’s website. Any revisions in toll charges for a financial year are announced in newspapers and made publicly available to ensure transparency and avoid discrepancies.
Gadkari also shared that the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) has been installed on 325 national highway projects, covering approximately 20,000 km. Responding to a query from lawmaker Rajkumar Chahar, he stated that highways with four or more lanes are gradually being equipped with ATMS.
