No FASTag, no stops: India to launch GPS-based toll system from May 1, 2025

India is set to revolutionise its highway toll collection system by introducing a GPS-based tolling mechanism starting May 1, 2025. This new system aims to replace the existing FASTag method, enhancing efficiency, reducing congestion, and ensuring more accurate toll charges for commuters.
Wait times at toll plazas are greatly decreased by the current FASTag system, which was implemented in 2016 and uses RFID technology to enable electronic toll payments. However, issues including persistent lines at busy toll booths, system problems, and tag misuse have made a more sophisticated solution necessary.
The upcoming GPS-based toll collection system employs Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology to monitor vehicles and calculate toll fees based on the actual distance traveled on national highways. This approach ensures that drivers pay only for the distance they cover, promoting fairness and transparency in toll charges.

Under the new system, vehicles will be outfitted with On-Board Units (OBUs) that track their movements on roadways using GNSS technology. Based on the distance driven, the system will determine the toll as a car drives, after which the appropriate payment is automatically paid out of the driver's bank account or connected digital wallet. This makes it possible to travel smoothly and seamlessly without the need for physical toll booths.
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Distance-based charging: Drivers are charged precisely for the distance they travel, ensuring equitable toll fees.
Reduced congestion: Eliminating toll plazas minimizes traffic bottlenecks, leading to smoother highway travel.
Enhanced transparency: Real-time tracking and automated deductions reduce the potential for human error and corruption.
Environmental impact: Smoother traffic flow contributes to lower vehicle emissions, supporting environmental sustainability.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will be responsible for rolling out the new toll collection system. In the initial phase, it will be implemented for commercial vehicles like trucks and buses, with private vehicles set to be included in later stages. This step-by-step rollout is designed to address any technical issues early on and ensure a seamless transition for all motorists.
The administration has responded to privacy and data security concerns. The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also referred to as NavIC, is India's own satellite navigation system that the GNSS-based system will use to make sure data stays inside national borders. This strategy seeks to improve the accuracy of the tolling system while safeguarding the privacy of citizens.
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Owners of automobiles are urged to keep up with the latest developments about the new system and make sure their cars have the required OBUs installed. To ensure a seamless transition away from the FASTag system, the government intends to offer instructions and assistance for the installation of these units.
As India moves towards this advanced toll collection method, commuters can look forward to a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly highway travel experience.