Centre to roll out GPS-based toll collection from May 1: Reports

New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is reportedly planning to introduce a high-tech GPS-based toll system starting May 1.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently announced that the new toll policy would be implemented nationwide within the next 15 days. According to a TOI report, the GPS-based toll system will be more efficient and time-saving compared to the current system.

The new method ensures users pay toll only for the distance travelled on toll roads. The process involves installing an on-board GPS device in vehicles, which will be monitored through the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to determine how far a vehicle has travelled on a toll road. Based on this, the corresponding amount will be automatically deducted from the user’s linked digital wallet.

One of the key advantages of the new system is that it charges motorists strictly for the distance they travel, unlike the current fixed-rate system. Additionally, the removal of toll booths from highways will reduce congestion and delays. The real-time tracking feature is also expected to minimize billing errors, as per the Ministry of Road Transport.

While the original plan was to roll out the system by April 1, there was a delay due to the government’s decision to shift from the US-based GPS to India’s indigenous navigation system. The globally used GPS is being replaced with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), which India is developing for domestic implementation.

The GPS toll collection system was announced in June 2024, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) designated to oversee its implementation. In the initial phase, the system will be deployed on commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses, followed by private cars and smaller vehicles in the second phase.