The method of toll collection on national highways across the country is going to change completely soon. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told in Rajya Sabha that Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) and satellite based tolling system will be implemented by the end of 2026. After this, drivers will not need to stop at the toll plaza. Toll will be deducted automatically through Artificial Intelligence, Number Plate Recognition Technology, Satellite Tracking and Fastag. The government claims that this will reduce the waiting time at toll plazas to zero. Also, with the new digital system, toll rates can also be reduced by 60 percent in future. Let us understand how the new toll system will work.
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- Target to implement MLFF and satellite tolling across the country by the end of 2026.
- Vehicles will be able to cross the toll point at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour without stopping.
- Toll will be collected through AI, number plate identification, Fastag and satellite tracking.
- With the new system, toll rates can be reduced by 60 percent in future.
- Toll will be deducted according to the distance, the more you use the highway, the more you will have to pay.
- Testing of the digital model has started on Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
The country’s toll system will change by 2026
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told in Rajya Sabha that the government is preparing to implement Multi Lane Free Flow i.e. MLFF tolling system across the country. The purpose of this technology is to eliminate long queues and wastage of time at toll plazas. The government aims to have this system fully implemented on national highways by the end of 2026. After this, drivers will not have to stop anywhere to pay toll and the entire process will be done digitally. Now, after the introduction of Fastag, the time for toll payment has reduced considerably, but still the problem of jam and waiting persists at many places. New technology is being considered as a permanent solution to this problem.
Why is it being said that toll rates will be reduced by 60%?
The government believes that the new digital tolling system will make the entire process of toll collection more transparent and accurate. In the present system, many calculations related to highway construction cost, interest and toll collection are complex. Actual information about construction cost and recovery will be available in real time through the digital model. The government claims that when the entire system becomes online and data based, toll determination can be done in a more scientific manner. On this basis, there is a possibility of reduction in toll rates by 60 percent in the coming years. However, a final decision has not yet been taken on when and on which routes this reduction will be implemented.
What is satellite toll system?
Satellite Toll System or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) based tolling is a modern technology, in which the need for toll plazas is almost eliminated. In this, the journey of the vehicle is recorded through satellite and digital tracking. That is, toll will be collected according to the distance the vehicle travels on the highway. In the current system, many times a vehicle has to pay the entire toll section, even if it has covered a short distance. But in the new system, only the used highway portion will have to be paid. This will make the toll system more fair and usage based.
This is how the new digital toll model will work
In the new system, a special tracking device called On Board Unit i.e. OBU will be installed in the vehicle. This device will continuously record the location and travel route of the vehicle with the help of global navigation satellite system. As the vehicle enters and exits the toll road, the system will calculate its actual distance.
After this, this information will reach the central server and the toll fee will be decided on that basis. The prescribed amount will be deducted directly from the bank account, wallet or linked payment mode. The vehicle owner will get complete information through mobile message or WhatsApp. There will be no need for any barrier, booth or manual checking in this process.
What will happen to the vehicles which do not have the device?
The government has prepared arrangements for this also. The vehicles which are not fitted with OBU will be identified through Automatic Number Plate Recognition i.e. ANPR technology. High resolution cameras installed on the highway will scan the number plate of the vehicle and toll will be calculated on the same basis. If a vehicle does not follow the prescribed rules, the system can automatically initiate the process of challan or outstanding duty. This is also expected to curb toll evasion and revenue loss to a great extent. The government believes that this will increase revenue collection and also strengthen transparency.
Testing started on Delhi-Meerut Expressway
According to sources, Delhi-Meerut Expressway has been selected for testing the first phase of the digital tolling model. Trial of new technology has been started here. During testing, it is being seen how accurately satellite, camera, Fastag and AI based systems work together. The government plans to implement it on other national highways in a phased manner. If the testing is successful, then by 2027 most of the major highways of the country can be connected to this new technology. This will make the travel experience faster and more convenient than before.
There will be savings in time, fuel and pollution.
The biggest advantage of the new tolling system will be that drivers will not have to stop at toll plazas. This will provide relief from long queues and reduce travel time. Fuel will also be saved by eliminating the need for frequent braking and restarting the vehicle. Experts believe that lakhs of vehicles across the country spend time and fuel at toll plazas every day. If this system is successful, carbon emissions will reduce and the environment will also benefit. Besides, due to better traffic flow on the highway, improvement in road safety can also be seen.
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