Highways Toll Tax: The Modi government has taken a significant step regarding toll tax, with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways introducing new rules. According to the updated regulations, private vehicle drivers using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) will no longer have to pay toll tax. Additionally, drivers will be exempt from paying any toll tax for travelling up to 20 km on highways and expressways daily. This rule will be implemented across the country.
However, there are certain conditions. The exemption will only apply to those whose vehicles are running on the GNSS system. For trips covering more than 20 km, toll charges will be applied based on the actual distance travelled.
Toll System Based on GNSS and FASTag
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has recently introduced a toll system based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) alongside FASTag. Although this system is not yet being used nationwide, it is currently being implemented as a government pilot project on the Bengaluru-Mysore section of National Highway 275 in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar section of National Highway 709 in Haryana. Based on the report of this pilot, the government plans to extend the GNSS-based toll system to other highways across the country.
How Will the GNSS System Work?
The GNSS system, which is based on GPS, will calculate toll taxes using satellites. Vehicles will have an On-Board Unit (OBU) installed to track their movement. There will be dedicated lanes for vehicles equipped with GNSS OBUs, ensuring other vehicles do not enter them. Currently, this system is implemented for commercial vehicles, but it is expected to include private vehicles in the future.
The system will use GPS to calculate the distance travelled and then automatically deduct the toll, identifying the vehicle through its number plate, FASTag, or other identifiers. Once the toll is deducted, the driver will be notified via SMS. If the vehicle covers a distance of over 20 kilometres, the toll will be calculated based on the total distance travelled.
How Can You Use the GNSS System in Your Vehicle?
To use the GNSS system, especially for commercial vehicles, vehicle owners must install an OBU in their cars. This device will connect to the satellite and automatically track the vehicle’s journey, calculating tolls based on the distance travelled. Drivers must ensure sufficient funds in their accounts for toll deductions.
How is GNSS Different from FasTag?
The FasTag service was introduced to reduce the time spent at toll plazas, and GNSS is an updated step in this direction. The new satellite-based toll system is even faster than FasTag. The FasTag system, currently used at toll plazas for toll collection, works on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, which automatically collect tolls. However, with the GNSS-based tolling system, tolls will be virtual. This means that toll collection will be done without visible toll booths, and vehicles will not need to stop at them.