In a groundbreaking move, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced a toll-free provision for motorists using vehicles equipped with a functional global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Effective from September 10, 2024, drivers can now travel up to 20 kilometers daily on national highways and expressways without paying any toll fees, thanks to the latest amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
Toll-Free Travel for GNSS-Equipped Vehicles
The amended National Highways Fee rules, now known as the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024, grant motorists toll-free travel for up to 20 kilometers per day. This benefit is available to vehicles fitted with GNSS, except for National Permit vehicles. Once a vehicle exceeds the 20-kilometer limit, the toll fee will be calculated based on the actual distance traveled. This new policy aims to promote the use of GNSS technology, enhancing the efficiency and transparency of toll collection on Indian highways.
The notification states: “A driver, owner, or person in charge of a mechanical vehicle, other than a National Permit vehicle, using the same section of the national highway, permanent bridge, bypass, or tunnel shall be levied a zero user fee up to 20 kilometers of a journey in each direction in a day under the GNSS-based user fee collection system.”
Special Lanes for GNSS Vehicles
To further streamline the system, dedicated lanes for vehicles with GNSS On-Board Units will be introduced. Drivers entering these lanes without a valid GNSS system will face penalties, including a fine amounting to twice the applicable toll fee. This initiative supports the ongoing effort to modernize toll collection systems across India’s highways and enhance traffic flow.
GNSS-Based Toll Collection Pilot Studies
The Ministry had earlier piloted GNSS-based toll collection on select routes, such as the Bengaluru-Mysore section of NH-275 in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar section of NH-709 in Haryana. These trials successfully demonstrated the system’s potential to reduce congestion and improve toll collection efficiency.
Looking Ahead: National Implementation of GNSS-Based Tolls
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has indicated that full-scale implementation of GNSS-based toll collection is planned before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The hybrid model, integrating both RFID-based FASTag and GNSS systems, will soon be operational, allowing for smoother, barrier-free travel and distance-based tolling. This shift promises to revolutionize India’s toll collection, offering a hassle-free experience for highway users while also curbing toll evasion.
