In the news

The government’s plan to implement a new highway toll collection system based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) before the 2024 election model code of conduct kicks in.
In this article, we delve into the details of the proposed system, its challenges, privacy safeguards, and its relationship with the existing FASTag system.

New Proposed Highway Tolling System

Utilization of GNSS: The system will employ an On-Board Unit (OBU) or tracking device fitted inside vehicles, leveraging the Indian satellite navigation system, GAGAN, for accurate location mapping.
ANPR Technology: It will use an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system through cameras installed on highways and deduct tolls based on the distance travelled by a vehicle.
Digital Image Processing: Co-ordinates of national highways will be logged digitally, and toll rates will be assigned based on the distance travelled by a vehicle, with toll amounts deducted from a wallet linked to the OBU.
Enforcement Mechanisms: Gantries mounted with CCTV cameras will monitor highways, capturing high-security registration plate images to prevent evasion, ensuring compliance with the tolling system.

Recovery of Unpaid Tolls: Recovering toll amounts from non-compliant users poses a challenge, especially when digital wallets linked to OBUs are empty.
Evasion and Non-Compliance: Vehicles traveling without OBUs or deliberately switching them off, or misuse of OBUs to pay lower tolls, present enforcement challenges.
Infrastructure and Legal Amendments: Setting up ANPR-based systems and amending toll collection rules are essential for the effective implementation of the new system.

Usage of GAGAN: Utilizing the indigenous GAGAN system instead of GPS ensures data security within the country, addressing privacy concerns.
Legal Framework: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, aims to safeguard privacy, although concerns regarding increased state surveillance exist.

Complementary Systems: The new tolling system will co-exist with FASTags, with no decision yet on mandating OBUs for all vehicles.
Operational Efficiency: While FASTags have achieved robust compliance, the GNSS-based system offers lower operational costs and streamlines toll collection processes.

FASTag Compliance: By December 2023, 98.9% of vehicles passing through toll fee plazas at national highways were FASTag compliant, reflecting widespread adoption.
Toll Collection Growth: Toll collection increased 1.5 times from ₹17,942 crore in 2016-2017 to ₹27,744 crore in 2020-2021 at National Highway fee plazas, showcasing the effectiveness of existing mechanisms.

The proposed GNSS-based toll collection system represents a paradigm shift in highway tolling mechanisms, promising greater accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
However, challenges such as recovery of unpaid tolls and infrastructure requirements need to be addressed for successful implementation.
With adequate safeguards for privacy and co-existence with FASTags, the new system holds the potential to revolutionize highway toll collection in India.