What is GNSS-based toll collection system, which govt will implement at select national highways?

The Union government has decided to initially implement a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based toll collection system at select national highways on a pilot basis. It will be implemented as an added facility along with FASTag, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, said a pilot study regarding GNSS-based user fee collection system has been done on Bengaluru-Mysore section of NH-275 in Karnataka and Panipat-Hisar section of NH-709 in Haryana.

What is GNSS-based toll collection system?

The GNSS is a term used to refer to any satellite-based navigation system, including the US’ GPS. Under this toll collection system, users are charged based on the distance they have travelled on national highways. It uses a large constellation of satellites to provide more accurate location and navigation information to users.

Earlier in June this year, Centre had said that dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles using the GNSS-based ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) to pass through freely. As it becomes more widespread, all lanes will eventually be converted to GNSS lanes.

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Gadkari said a stakeholder consultation through international workshop was organised on June 25, 2024 and global expression of interest (EOI) was invited for wider industrial consultation on June 7, 2024 with last date of submission as July 22, 2024.

Replying to a separate question, he said the master plan for national highways to improve the logistics with provision of expressway/high speed highways has been prepared by the road ministry under PM Gatishakti Framework using transportation model with analysis of data of e-way bills (GST), toll and traffic survey.

(With inputs from PTI)