New technology to replace toll plazas on all NHs by 2024 as per Nitin Gadkari
In a statement to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Nitin Gadkari stated that his ministry is looking at two technologies to eliminate physical toll booths from the NH network. GPS-based and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-based tolling systems are these two technologies.
Gadkari stated that the government intends to abolish toll plazas since they have caused several issues like traffic jams and lengthy lines, as well as being within 60 km of each other, which is against the law.
He claims that the government is now looking at two options: a satellite-based toll system, in which a car's GPS would allow the toll to be directly deducted from the driver's bank account, and a number-plate option. According to Gadkari, new number plates with new technology have been launched, and the manufacturer must have them. Additionally, there will be a computerized method for collecting tolls using new software.
But he said that in order to do that, a bill would need to be introduced in Parliament because there is now no law in place to punish anyone who refuses to pay the toll.
According to him, the amount of toll that must be paid will only be deducted from the account for the precise amount of time that the automobile is driven on the tolled motorways.
The Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari said "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. 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. 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."
