NHAI calls for global interest to implement satellite-based toll collection, phasing out physical booths

Traffic moves along a highway in New Delhi

In a bid to revolutionize toll collection on National Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a call for expressions of interest (EoIs) from global entities. The aim is to implement a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based electronic toll collection system, eliminating the need for physical toll booths.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), seeks to enhance tolling efficiency and transparency while providing a seamless experience for highway users. NHAI intends to integrate the GNSS-based electronic toll collection (ETC) system within the existing FASTag ecosystem, initially adopting a hybrid model alongside RFID-based ETC.

Dedicated GNSS lanes will be established at toll plazas to facilitate smooth passage for vehicles utilizing the GNSS-based ETC. The EoI underscores the quest for experienced and capable companies to develop robust toll charger software, pivotal for the successful implementation of the GNSS-based ETC nationwide.

The introduction of GNSS-based electronic toll collection is poised to streamline vehicular movement on National Highways, offering several advantages to users. These include barrier-free tolling, enhancing the overall riding experience, and introducing distance-based tolling, where users are charged solely for the distance traveled on the highway. Additionally, the system promises to bolster toll collection efficiency by curbing leakages and deterring toll evasion.