Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has made a historic announcement that toll booths will be eliminated across the country by next year. In their place, the government is implementing a state-of-the-art electronic system, in which you won’t even have to stop your vehicle, and the toll will be automatically deducted.
This change will save time for millions of travellers and significantly reduce excessive fuel consumption. This game-changing transformation will make highway travel completely seamless and hassle-free.
Current toll system will be completely discontinued
Nitin Gadkari has clearly announced in the Lok Sabha that the current toll collection system is being completely discontinued. According to him, a new electronic toll system will be implemented across the country within the next year, allowing vehicles to travel without stopping. He also stated that testing of the new system has been conducted at 10 locations, and the results have been extremely positive.
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Main objective of implementing the new system
The government has taken this revolutionary step to eliminate congestion, time wastage, and long lines at toll booths. This will reduce traffic congestion on highways, make travel faster and easier, and improve the passenger experience.
What new technologies will be introduced
The government is implementing a multi-lane free-flow electronic toll collection system. This system will be completely barrier-free. It will combine two main technologies:
1. FASTag
The FASTag will remain affixed to your vehicle’s windshield as before. The RFID technology will identify your vehicle, and the toll will be deducted from the linked account. The biggest difference will be that you won’t have to stop at any plaza.
2. Automatic Number Plate Recognition with AI
ANPR cameras will scan your vehicle’s number plate. These cameras will be integrated with AI (Artificial Intelligence) to accurately read the number. Even if a vehicle’s FASTag is not working, ANPR will recognize it and deduct the toll.
How will toll be deducted without stopping
The new system will involve cameras and sensors installed at various locations along the highway. When your vehicle passes through these, the system will recognize your vehicle within seconds. The toll will be automatically deducted from your account. You won’t need to stop at any barrier or toll booth.
The entire system will be linked to the NETC (National Electronic Toll Collection) platform created by NPCI. This is an integrated system that integrates toll collection across the country onto a single platform. The government has successfully tested the FASTag + ANPR system at 10 locations, and in the next phase, it will be implemented at select toll plazas.
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