The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the National Highway Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. This includes electronic toll collection through satellite-based systems. Subsequently, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) will be included as a method for toll collection in addition to existing systems like Fastag and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.
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Currently, toll is paid manually at toll booths. This can lead to traffic jams. Even FASTag is being used. The GPS-based toll system leverages satellite and in-car tracking systems to calculate the toll, which will be based on the distance traveled. This system charges toll as per the distance traveled by the vehicle using satellite-based tracking and GPS technology. Vehicles equipped with on-board unit (OBU) or tracking device will be charged based on the distance traveled on highways.
Vehicles will be fitted with on-board units (OBUs) that will act as tracking devices for toll collection - tracking the vehicle's coordinates on highways which are shared with satellites to calculate the distance travelled.
The system will be initially rolled out on major highways and expressways and will be available through government portals just like FASTag.
Many people are worried about what will happen to their FASTag now. By when do they have to install the new system? Do you know the answers to such questions?
If you are a FASTag user, then you don't need to panic now. Our correspondent Kumar Kunal told in his report that it will take time for FASTag to be eliminated. The hybrid system will continue for now.
How is it different from FASTag?: The satellite-based toll system relies on GNSS technology which provides accurate location tracking.
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