June 26th 2024.
The topic of toll collection on highways has been a hotly debated issue, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stating that tolls should not be charged if the roads are not up to par. Addressing a global workshop on satellite-based tolling, Gadkari emphasized the importance of providing quality roads before expecting users to pay tolls.
"We can't simply charge tolls for the sake of it. If the roads are in poor condition, we cannot justify collecting tolls from the public," Gadkari stated, highlighting the need for accountability and responsibility from highway agencies. He also expressed the urgency to implement tolling systems in order to collect user fees and protect the government's interests.
Gadkari stressed the need for toll collection to be limited to roads that offer the best quality service. He warned that charging tolls for roads with potholes and mud would result in public backlash. In order to achieve this, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to implement a GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection system within the existing FASTag ecosystem. This system will initially operate on a hybrid model, utilizing both RFID-based and GNSS-based technology at the same time.
The NHAI has outlined a plan to roll out this system first on commercial vehicles, followed by private vehicles. This approach takes into consideration scalability and privacy concerns, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition. Additionally, the highway authority has recommended the use of driver behavior analysis and back-end data analysis to detect any instances of fraud.
In a move towards a more convenient payment system, the NHAI has also suggested the possibility of converting payment modes from prepaid to postpaid with the implementation of the GNSS-based system. This would allow for faster credit provision from banks and financial institutions based on travel plans. The potential benefits and improvements offered by this system have been well received and are being eagerly anticipated.
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