GNSS TO Replace Fastag In India: All You Need To Know About GNSS
Not much time has passed since the introduction of the FASTag technology for toll collection. The main goal behind the introduction of FASTag was to eliminate long queues and cash issues at toll booths. However, certain problems were faced with FASTag as well. Now, the government is planning to introduce a new toll collection system which will work with the help of GPS. Let’s understand this new technology in detail.
This new toll collections system is named Global Navigation Satellite System or GNSS. The GNSS system will track vehicle’s location in real time and charge the user based on the distance they have travelled on the toll road.
Right now, there are fixed toll locations with fixed prices depending on the vehicle category but in GNSS, the toll charges will completely depend on the distance travelled on the highway.
This technology will benefit the government by reducing toll evasion and leakages. Furthermore, it will benefit the consumer by providing a hassle free experience and prevent over charging.
How Will GNSS Be Rolled Out?
Initially, the GNSS will be integrated with the existing FASTag technology in a hybrid model which will include both the RFID based electronic toll collections and GNSS based electronic toll collection.
At the beginning, only a few toll booth lanes will be converted to GNSS lanes and as the technology gets better and well adapted, the entire toll booth will be converted to GNSS.
GNSS Trials have already begun in India
On July 24th, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the government has started testing this new toll collection system which works on the GNSS on two national highways.
The technology is being tested on the Bengaluru-Mysore National Highway (NH-275) in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar National Highway (NH-709) in Haryana.
Nitin Gadkari said that a stakeholder consultation through international workshop was organized 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.
How will toll be deducted from you?
This new toll collection system works on the Global Navigation Satellite System which offers precise location tracking. Furthermore, technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and India’s GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) make the data much more accurate.
After the distance is calculated, the payments will be deducted from the digital wallet linked to the on board unit eliminating the need of cash. Additionally, the issue of long queues on toll booths, which still exists after the implementation of FASTag, is expected to be solved, making the overall travel experience much better.
Even though this technology is completely automated, CCTV cameras will be installed to monitor the compliance and enforcement measures. Currently, the National Highway Authority of India gathers around Rs. 40,000 crore from toll booths. It is is expected that this figure may increase to about Rs. 1.40 trillion within the next 2-3 years.