The Indian government will be able to collect more tolls after the implementation of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for private vehicles. This will happen because of the more efficiency that GNSS comes with; it will eventually be able to fill all the potholes in the toll-collecting system as the vehicles will be tracked using satellites. This technology will be able to track the vehicles from anywhere at any given time; hence, those previously used to escape from the toll booth or trick the toll booth will not be able to do so, eventually increasing the government’s earnings from the tolls.
The government announced that from September 10, 2024, motorists with vehicles equipped with a working Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) would enjoy toll-free travel on highways and expressways for up to 20 kilometres daily. This update is an amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
But along with relaxing the rules for people who travel short distances on the national highway and still pay the total toll, this new rule will also end people's use of different tricks to avoid toll booth charges as they will not be able to fool the tracking system.
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are vital to our daily technology. They drive mobile navigation apps like Google Maps and support communication systems that often go unnoticed. Now, this technology is being used for highway toll collection in India.
“A driver, owner or person in charge of a mechanical vehicle, except those with a National Permit, using the same section of a national highway, bridge, bypass, or tunnel, will not be charged a user fee for up to 20 kilometres in each direction daily under the GNSS-based toll system,” the notification from the government reads.
The notification also states that special lanes may be set aside for vehicles with a GNSS On-Board Unit. Vehicles entering these lanes without the required GNSS equipment will incur a penalty of twice the standard user fee.