New Delhi:To provide a seamless and barrier-free tolling experience on National Highways, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), organized a day-long international workshop on ‘Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based Electronic Toll Collection in India’. The workshop in New Delhi offered a unique platform for industry leaders and global experts to discuss the smooth implementation of a free-flow tolling system using GNSS technology in India.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, was the Chief Guest at the event. The workshop was also attended by Ajay Tamta, Union Minister of State, MoRTH; Harsh Malhotra, Union Minister of State, MoRTH & Corporate Affairs; Anurag Jain, Secretary, MoRTH; Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI; Vishal Chauhan, Member (Administration) NHAI & CMD IHMCL; S.P. Singh, Joint Secretary (Logistics) MoRTH, and senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, NHAI, IHMCL. International industry experts from the US and Europe, along with representatives from IITs, NIC, NPCI, C-DAC, HOA(I), NHBF, IRF, SIAM, financial institutions, and leading global technology companies, were also present.
The workshop featured multiple panel discussions where industry and technical professionals, along with global GNSS experts, deliberated on various aspects including On-Board Units (OBU), commercial vehicles, NH fee rules, toll charger software, the role of issuer entities, and the essentials of road infrastructure for the successful implementation of multi-lane free-flow GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection in India.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the importance of GNSS technology in modernizing toll collection systems, stating, “GNSS technology enhances navigation and positioning, playing a crucial role in modernizing toll collection systems, ensuring seamless travel, and reducing congestion on our roads. We are continuously working towards easing citizens’ lives, making governance more transparent, and providing faster services.“
Anurag Jain, Secretary, MoRTH, highlighted the global interest in India’s growth, saying, “Participation from many global experts on GNSS in today’s workshop is a testimony to the belief that the world has in India’s growth story. We are working to realize the vision of a developed India by 2047, and the implementation of GNSS will be one of the important steps towards that goal.”
Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman, NHAI, noted the significant expansion of the road network over the past decade, adding, “National Highways carry over 70% of the country’s freight along with passenger traffic. Implementing GNSS will immensely contribute not only towards the growth of our economy but will also make barrierless tolling a reality for our citizens.”
Vishal Chauhan, Member (Admin), NHAI & CMD, IHMCL, summarized the key takeaways and outlined the way forward from the panel discussions held during the workshop.
GNSS-based tolling is a barrier-free method of Electronic Toll Collection where road users are charged based on the distance traveled on the tolled highway stretch. NHAI plans to implement the GNSS-based ETC system within the existing FASTag ecosystem, initially using a hybrid model where both RFID-based ETC and GNSS-based ETC will operate simultaneously. Dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles using GNSS-based ETC to pass through freely. As GNSS-based ETC becomes more widespread, all lanes will eventually be converted to GNSS lanes.
The implementation of GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection in India is expected to facilitate smooth vehicle movement along National Highways, providing benefits such as barrier-free tolling, hassle-free riding experiences, and distance-based tolling. This system will also help to plug leakages and check toll evaders, resulting in a more efficient toll collection system across the country.
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