India Introduces New Toll System: Pay Only for the Distance You Travel
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India has announced a new toll system for non-commercial vehicles traveling on National Highways. Vehicles traveling less than 20 kilometers in one direction within a day will be exempt from tolls. For longer journeys, tolls will be based on the actual distance traveled using a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
New Toll Rules
According to the new rules, non-commercial vehicles (excluding those with National Permits) traveling less than 20 kilometers on a National Highway will not have to pay any toll, provided the journey is completed within a day and in one direction.
For journeys exceeding 20 kilometers, tolls will be charged based on the actual distance traveled. This ensures a fairer tolling mechanism, where road users only pay for the kilometers they have used.
GNSS-Based Tolling
The toll collection will shift to a ‘Pay as You Use’ model once the GNSS-based tolling system becomes operational. The user fee will be calculated based on the distance traveled on the highway, as tracked by the GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system.
Initially, toll plazas may have a dedicated lane for vehicles fitted with GNSS On-Board Units (OBUs), ensuring smooth and efficient tolling for those using the GNSS system.
Government’s Commitment
The Ministry’s announcement underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance infrastructure efficiency. As the pilot phase has concluded successfully, road users can expect the GNSS-based tolling system to be rolled out in the near future, with the Ministry expected to provide further details on the full implementation timeline.
Doubts Revealed
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways -: This is a part of the Indian government that takes care of roads and highways. They make rules and plans to keep roads safe and in good condition.
toll system -: A toll system is a way to collect money from people who use certain roads. This money is used to maintain and improve the roads.
non-commercial vehicles -: These are vehicles like cars and bikes that people use for personal travel, not for business or transporting goods.
National Highways -: These are major roads in India that connect different cities and states. They are very important for long-distance travel.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) -: This is a system that uses satellites in space to find the exact location of a vehicle on Earth. It helps in tracking how far a vehicle has traveled.
congestion -: Congestion means too many vehicles in one place, causing traffic jams. Reducing congestion means making traffic move more smoothly.
