No More Long Queues! New System To Replace Toll Plazas On NHs To Be Introduced In Six Months
Despite the introduction of FAStag, long queues at toll booths on National Highways are still a reality across India.
But, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has promised to end this soon by introducing a new system.
Government looking at two alternatives
Gadkari on Wednesday told the Rajya Sabha that his ministry is considering two technologies to put an end to the physical toll plazas across the NH network. These two technologies are GPS-based and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-based tolling systems.
Responding to questions on the issue of toll plazas within 60 km in the same direction which is not as per law, Gadkari said toll plazas have created many problems like traffic snarls and long queues, which the government wants to end.
GPS based and number plate based
According to him, the government is now searching for two options - satellite based toll system where the GPS will be there in a car and the toll will be directly subtracted from the passenger's bank account and the other option is through number plates.
"We are in the process of introducing GPS instead of FASTag while using satellite and on the basis of which we want to take the toll. Technology is also available on number plate and there is good technology available in India," he said.
New law required
"We will select the technology. Though we have not taken an official decision, but in my view on the number plate technology there will be no toll plaza and there will be a sophisticated computerised digital system by which we can give relief. There will be no queues and people will get great relief," the minister also said.
But for that, he said, we need to bring a bill in Parliament because if anyone is not paying the toll then there is no law available yet to penalise them.
"Within six months, I will try my level best to do it as this is the need of the hour. This is important for the people of the country and to rid the problem of traffic," he said when asked when the new system for toll collection will be brought into effect.
Pay only for distance travelled?
Gadkari said number plates with new technology have been introduced and it is mandatory for the manufacturer to have new number plates and there will be a computerised system by which one can collect toll using new software.
He said that one will have to pay toll for the exact time of car driven on the tolled highways and only that much toll will be subtracted from the account.
"We have not made up our mind as far as selection of technology is concerned. But as early as possible and within a month we will select the technology and we will use all the sophisticated technology of the world by which it will be useful for people and there will be no queues and no problems of traffic," he told the House.
"As early as possible we will resolve the issue of toll plazas and find a solution to this," he said.
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