MC Explains | Will the new GNSS-based toll collection change highway travel in India?

Eliminating toll plazas will significantly decrease traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.

After the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways  unveiled its ambitious plan to transform highway toll collection through GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is seeking global partners to implement this cutting-edge Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system.

Spearheaded by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), this initiative promises to enhance efficiency, transparency, and user experience on national highways.

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What is the proposed tolling system?

GNSS includes systems like the US's Global Positioning System (GPS) and India's GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), a network of satellites that provide precise location and navigation information. Vehicles will be equipped with On-Board Units (OBUs), which communicate with satellites that track their location. The coordinates of national highways are mapped using digital image processing, and the toll software calculates toll rates based on the distance travelled. The  amount will be seamlessly deducted from a digital wallet linked to the OBU.

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Aishwarya Dabhade

Senior Sub Editor, Editorial and Content|Moneycontrol

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Also Read | NHAI increases toll fees on expressways by 5% 

To ensure compliance and prevent toll evasion, gantries with CCTV cameras and Automatic Number-Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology will be installed along highways. Initially, the GNSS-based ETC system will coexist with the current FASTag system, which uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This hybrid approach aims to leverage the strengths of both systems during the transition period.

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Benefits of the new system

Eliminating toll plazas will significantly decrease traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. Frictionless toll collection will lead to quicker travel times and a more efficient highway network. The pay-as-you-use model ensures that users pay tolls only for the actual distance traveled, making the system more equitable.

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Challenges ahead

Ensuring toll recovery from users with insufficient funds in the digital wallet, or those who attempt to tamper with the system (e.g., by tinkering with the number plate) remains a challenge. Establishing a nationwide network of ANPR cameras requires substantial investment in infrastructure. Effective measures are also needed to address data security and user privacy concerns.

India’s GNSS-based highway toll collection system marks a significant leap towards modernising the country’s toll infrastructure. By integrating advanced satellite navigation technology with digital payment solutions, this system aims to streamline toll collection, reduce congestion, and ensure fair billing. However, the success of this initiative will hinge on effectively tackling challenges related to payment recovery, enforcement infrastructure, and privacy protection.