The present toll collection system would be replaced by a satellite-based one, according to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
The new method would take tolls depending on car mileage and deduct tolls straight from bank accounts.
Toll Collection System To Be Replaced: Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari
Gadkari stressed that commuters will save time and gasoline thanks to the satellite-based toll collecting system.
He gave the example of how the trip from Mumbai to Pune took only two hours instead of nine, saving a substantial amount of diesel. As per Mr. Gadkari, “Through this, time and money can be saved. Earlier, it used to take 9 hours to travel from Mumbai to Pune. Now it is a 2-hour journey. Seven hours of diesel get saved. Naturally, we have to pay some money in return. We are doing it through public-private investment. So we will have to return the money too.”
The average wait time at toll plazas has already dropped to 47 seconds since the FASTag system was implemented. By the end of 2024, Gadkari hopes to have India’s road system on par with the United States.
He declared that by the end of the year, India’s destiny will have changed for the better and expressed confidence in accomplishing this aim.
Regarding the Bharatmala-2 project, which intends to create almost 8,500 km of economic corridors, Gadkari gave updates. Approximately 26,000 km of economic corridors, as well as the Golden Quadrilateral, North-South, and East-West corridors, are the main goals of the Bharatmala Pariyojana.
He stated, “Bharatmala-2 is a project of about 8,500 km, Bharatmala-1 included 34,000 km. Many schemes have been approved and many are to be done.”
10% Increase in Construction and Expansion of Operations
Gadkari emphasized how crucial these initiatives are to controlling the bulk of freight traffic on roadways. In comparison to prior years, he stated that there has been a 10% increase in construction and expansion operations on National Highways from April to November.
Nonetheless, this year’s allotment of new building projects has decreased by 52%.
Gadkari underlined the necessity of ongoing initiatives to enhance road infrastructure and expedite toll collecting procedures. At toll plazas, the satellite-based toll collection system seeks to streamline procedures and cut down on wait times. It will also help to improve general traffic flow and lessen congestion on the highways.
Gadkari emphasized the advantages of the new approach for commuter cost reduction and environmental conservation. The implementation of the new toll collection system is indicative of the government’s resolve to use technology to advance infrastructure.
The government’s emphasis on infrastructure development as a major engine of economic growth was reaffirmed by Gadkari. He underlined that in order to finance infrastructure projects and guarantee their timely completion, public-private partnerships are essential.
It is anticipated that the satellite-based toll collecting system will improve toll collection procedures’ efficiency and transparency.
