If you frequently travel on highways, you may have experienced long queues at toll booths.
To address this issue, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that the government is considering introducing monthly
and annual passes for private vehicles. This change would replace the traditional toll collection system on national highways.
Interestingly, private vehicles currently account for only 26% of the total toll revenue, while commercial vehicles contribute the remaining 74%.
Gadkari emphasized that this new initiative will not significantly impact government revenue.
Moving Toll Booths Outside Villages
To further reduce inconvenience for villagers, toll collection booths will be relocated outside villages. This decision aims to streamline traffic and minimize disruptions in rural areas.
Gadkari clarified that since commercial vehicles generate the majority of toll revenue, introducing passes for private vehicles will not cause financial strain on the government.
GNSS-Based Toll System for Faster Collection
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is working on a new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based toll collection system.
This will complement the existing FASTag system on national highways.
The GNSS-based system aims to improve efficiency, reduce waiting times, and ensure toll charges are calculated based on the distance traveled.
Last year, a pilot project of the GNSS system was successfully tested on the Bengaluru-Mysuru and Panipat-Hisar highway sections.
Shorter Wait Times at Toll Plazas
The government’s initiatives are already showing results.
The average waiting time at toll booths dropped from 8 minutes in 2018-19 to just 47 seconds in 2020-21 after the introduction of FASTag.
However, some delays still occur during peak hours, particularly near densely populated areas.
These advancements aim to enhance the highway travel experience by reducing traffic congestion and ensuring quicker toll payments.
