The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has unveiled a new toll system designed to reduce frustration for private vehicle owners. Under the updated National Highways Fee Rules, 2024, vehicle owners equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) will enjoy toll-free travel for the first 20 kilometers on highways and expressways.
This development marks a shift from the previous toll structure, moving to a pay-as-you-go system based on the distance traveled beyond the initial 20 kilometers. The revised regulations stipulate that only the distance exceeding 20 kilometers will incur charges. For example, a 30-kilometer journey will only attract fees for the additional 10 kilometers.
The GNSS-based toll system, formalized as the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024, aims to enhance the accuracy and fairness of toll collection. This new approach follows a successful pilot project conducted on specific national highways, including the Bengaluru-Mysore stretch in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar section in Haryana.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has indicated that the GNSS system will work alongside the existing FASTag system. To facilitate a smooth implementation, the ministry held an international workshop on June 25, 2024, to gather global insights and sought expressions of interest from stakeholders, with submissions closing on July 22, 2024.