Private vehicle owners might soon find their road journeys more economical and hassle-free, thanks to new toll regulations introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The ministry has launched a new toll system aimed at revolutionizing toll collection on national highways, making it easier and more efficient for drivers.
Under these updated regulations, if you drive up to 20 km on highways or expressways, you won't need to pay any toll fees, as long as your vehicle is equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The new rules are part of the revised National Highways Fee Rules, 2024, which introduce a pay-as-you-go toll system. Drivers will only be charged for the distance they travel beyond the first 20 km.
A recent notification confirms that private vehicle owners with an active GNSS device in their vehicles will be exempt from toll charges for the first 20 km of their journey each day. This change is expected to bring relief to thousands of daily commuters, especially in metro areas where toll plazas can cause significant delays. The revision is in line with the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, which Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) updated to reflect the growing need for a more equitable and transparent toll system.
Under this new GNSS-based toll collection system, fees will be calculated based on the exact distance you travel, once the 20 km threshold is crossed. For example, if your journey on the highway covers 30 km, you will only pay for the remaining 10 km, as the first 20 km are toll-free.
The newly amended National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024, aim to simplify the process of toll collection by utilizing GNSS technology. This advanced satellite-based system enables real-time tracking of the distance travelled by each vehicle, allowing for more accurate and fair toll charges.
Earlier, the Ministry had launched a pilot project to test the GNSS-based system on selected national highways. The Bengaluru-Mysore section of NH-275 in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar section of NH-709 in Haryana were chosen for the pilot phase.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had previously stated that this system would operate alongside the existing FASTag toll system, ensuring minimal disruption for commuters during the transition.
To ensure the successful implementation of the GNSS-based toll system, MoRTH organized an international workshop on June 25, 2024, where experts from around the world shared their insights. Additionally, the Ministry issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to gather feedback from stakeholders, with submissions open until July 22, 2024. These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to creating a seamless toll collection system that benefits both drivers and highway authorities.
This new toll policy is expected to significantly improve the driving experience for private vehicle owners. Not only will it reduce the financial burden on daily commuters, but it will also streamline traffic at toll plazas, reducing congestion and wait times. With the GNSS system in place, the reliance on physical toll booths will decrease, helping eliminate bottlenecks that often occur during peak hours.
The introduction of India's new toll rules, with the GNSS-based toll system and toll-free travel for the first 20 km, marks a significant step towards making highway travel more convenient and cost-effective for private vehicle owners. By adopting cutting-edge satellite technology, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is addressing long-standing concerns about fair toll charges and reducing congestion at toll plazas.
As this system gets rolled out across the country, it is expected to bring greater transparency and efficiency to toll collection while enhancing the overall driving experience on national highways. The government’s commitment to modernizing India’s road infrastructure, through initiatives like this, showcases its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of commuters and streamlining travel on the nation’s highways.