No Decision Yet on Satellite-Based Tolling from May 1:Government Clarifies

 

The Government today clarified that no decision has been taken regarding the launch of a satellite-based tolling system from the 1st of May. Refuting claims made by sections of the media, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that neither the Ministry nor the National Highways Authority of India has taken any decision in this regard.

 

The Ministry said, to enable seamless, barrier-free movement of vehicles through toll plazas and to reduce travel time, an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) -FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System will be implemented at selected toll plazas. This system will combine Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology, which will identify vehicles by reading their number plates, and the existing FASTag system that uses Radio-Frequency Identification for toll deduction. Under this system, vehicles will be charged based on their identification through high-performance ANPR cameras and FASTag Readers, without needing to stop at the toll plazas. In case of non-compliance, E-Notices will be served to the violators, non-payment of which may result in suspension of FASTag and other VAHAN-related penalties. 

 

The Ministry said that NHAI has invited bids for the implementation of the ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system at selected locations. It added that based on the performance, efficiency, and user response to this system, a decision will be made regarding its implementation across the country.