NEWS – Vehicles equipped with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the new satellite-based road toll collection system, will be able to travel for free up to 20 km in each direction every day on national highways and expressways, the government has said.

HIGHLIGHTS

GNSS Features

• Free Travel Allowance: Vehicles equipped with GNSS will be allowed to travel up to 20 km in each direction daily on national highways and expressways without incurring toll charges.
• Distance-Based Tolling: Unlike FASTag, which uses fixed toll amounts, GNSS will charge tolls based on the distance traveled.

Legal and Operational Changes

• Rule Amendments: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has amended the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, to include GNSS-based toll collection provisions.
• Implementation: Specific lanes at toll plazas will be designated for GNSS, with tolls collected through this new system.

Tender and Installation

• Tender Issuance: On July 2, 2024, the Indian Highways Management Company Ltd (IHMCL) issued a tender for constructing GNSS lanes at toll plazas. The process is ongoing.
• On-Board Units (OBUs): Vehicles will need to be equipped with a non-transferable OBU. These units might eventually be factory-fitted in new vehicles, similar to FASTag stickers.

Toll Collection Mechanism

• Vehicle Passage: GNSS allows vehicles to pass through designated lanes without stopping. The system uses satellite signals to track vehicle movement and calculate tolls.
• Payment Process: As vehicles pass through GNSS lanes, the system captures distance and time stamps, with payments processed through fintech companies, analogous to the FASTag issuer banks.
• Penalties: Non-GNSS vehicles using GNSS lanes will incur double toll charges as a penalty.

Benefits of GNSS

• Reduced Congestion: By eliminating the need for vehicles to stop at toll booths, GNSS is expected to reduce congestion and delays at toll plazas.
• Efficiency: The system offers a smoother, faster alternative to FASTag, which can cause delays of up to a minute due to barcode scanning and boom operations.

Transition from FASTag

• Concurrent Use: Initially, GNSS will operate alongside the existing FASTag system. Both systems will be in use simultaneously.
• Future Plans: As GNSS adoption grows, all lanes are expected to transition to the GNSS system, phasing out FASTag.

FASTag Overview

• Current Use: FASTag, introduced in 2015, uses RFID technology and has been mandatory since February 2021. It currently handles over 98% of toll payments.
• Scope: Toll collection via FASTag covers approximately 45,000 km of National Highways and expressways through 1,200 toll plazas maintained by NHAI or concessionaires.