Barrier-Free Tolling: Centre Conducts Pilot Project For GNSS-Based Toll Collection On Two National Highways

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the government is testing a pilot project for toll collection on two national highways using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

The GNSS-based toll collection system will first be tried on the Bengaluru-Mysore section of NH-275 in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar section of NH-709 in Haryana.

GNSS-based toll collection is a barrier-free form of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) that charges road users based on the distance travelled on the tolled highway, rather than fixed toll locations.

This technology, under government consideration for over three years, aims to replace the current FASTags, which use radio frequency identification and are prepaid and rechargeable.

The minister informed the house that the GNSS-based ETC system will initially be piloted on select sections of national highways, alongside the existing FASTag system.

Under this initiative, dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles equipped with GNSS-based ETC to pass through without stopping.

As the system becomes more widespread, all lanes are expected to transition to GNSS lanes.

The introduction of GNSS-based electronic toll collection is expected to enhance vehicular movement on national highways by eliminating barriers, improving the driving experience, and implementing distance-based tolling.

As per earlier reports, the National Highways Authority of India also called for expressions of interest from global entities in June 2024 to implement this GNSS-based system.

Also read: Explained: The Satellite-Based Toll Collection For Which NHAI Invited Global Bids