Anurag Jain Announces Free Toll for First 20 km and New GNSS Toll System
New Delhi, India – Anurag Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways (MoRTH), announced that the toll for the first 20 kilometers on National Highways will remain free. He clarified that there has been no change in the National Highway policy regarding this matter.
Jain explained, “The toll for 20 kilometers remains free, as it always has been, and there is no change in the National Highway policy. If a vehicle travels beyond 20 kilometers, toll will be charged.” This statement was made in response to a query about the amendment in the NH Fee rule, 2008.
The Ministry will implement the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a new satellite-based road toll collection system, in hybrid mode by the first quarter of the next financial year. “A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the GNSS-based system will be floated before the end of this financial year. The implementation will begin in the first quarter of the next financial year, starting with commercial vehicles. It may take 2-3 years for nationwide implementation,” Jain stated.
Regarding the need to increase speed limits due to improved road infrastructure, Jain said, “First, we need to establish systems for disciplined driving before considering any changes to speed limits.”
Jain also addressed the possibility of converting older diesel buses into electric vehicles instead of scrapping them. He mentioned that he has asked the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to propose policy options to the government. “Technically, if vehicles are causing pollution, they should be phased out. However, the government considers all stakeholders. We are exploring options to retrofit older vehicles with EV kits. If a bus is 7-8 years old and fits EV kits, which could extend their operational life then we are looking at this policy option very positively,” he said.
He added that if older buses are retrofitted with EV kits and maintenance issues are addressed properly, such a decision could be supported.
Doubts Revealed
Anurag Jain -: Anurag Jain is a government official in India. He works as the Secretary of the Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways.
Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways -: This is a part of the Indian government that takes care of roads, highways, and transportation in the country.
National Highways -: These are major roads in India that connect different cities and states, making travel and transport easier.
GNSS -: GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System. It uses satellites to help find the exact location of vehicles for things like toll collection.
toll collection system -: This is a way to collect money from vehicles using certain roads, usually to help pay for road maintenance and improvements.
retrofitting -: Retrofitting means adding new technology or features to older things, like putting electric vehicle kits in old diesel buses.
electric vehicle kits -: These are special parts that can be added to old buses to make them run on electricity instead of diesel fuel.
disciplined driving -: This means driving carefully and following all the traffic rules to keep everyone safe on the roads.
