Government to introduce GPS-based FASTag .

The government of India has planned to start a GPS based toll system instead of the already existing FASTag to ensure seamless payment and vehicle movement on national highways, said two people who are privy to the development. This change will put an end to the role of toll plazas across the country.

According to media reports, this ambitious plan is being prepared with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) starting work on further amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act to facilitate the new technology based tolling, one of the persons cited above requesting anonymity. According to the person, presently the technology to support GPS based tolls is available and can be implemented quickly, however the actual launch may happen in phases with under construction greenfield expressways and highways getting the nod first. 

“MoRTH has amended the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, allowing for the collection of toll fees based on distance travelled by the vehicle on the national highway. This will facilitate introduction of GPS-based system of tolling but before such thing is introduced , a lot of work also needs to be done to upgrade roads with technical infrastructure for a GPS-based system. Also, amendment to Motor Vehicle Act may also be required. So, complete GPS-based tolling eliminating the need for toll plazas is still some time away,” the person said.

The absence of a proper regulatory framework, including privacy concerns and lack of powers to prosecute a vehicle based on its location on a highway, is also hindering quick implementation of the new system. The FASTag system is therefore expected to continue for a few years longer before the new tolling system is rolled out.

The newly amended toll fee determination rules have also allowed NHAI or highway concessionaires to retain toll plazas on national highways.

Under GPS-based tolling, vehicles will need to be fitted with a device that can track its movement on the highways. Once such a vehicle enters a trolled road, a highway system would track the vehicle and toll will be charged based on the distance travelled at the exit point of the highway.

ALSO READ: Tripura to start Mushroom villages