On Wednesday, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced to begin the satellite-based tolling on National Highways by March 2024. This announcement was made by the Union Minister during a session in Rajya Sabha.
The government has recently notified the World Bank regarding its significant progress in reducing waiting times at the toll plaza and export release timings at the land ports. According, to the FASTorg, the average time to wait at toll plazas has decreased from 714 seconds to 47 seconds only.
However, the data from the Road and Highway Ministry shows that the agencies working under the ministry have expanded or finished 5,248 km of National Highways by November 2022, compared to the 4,766 km during the same period last year.
Why govt thought of introducing this system?
There are several reasons behind the government’s decision to bring out this satellite-based technology for tolling.
First, to reduce the stopping time like the traditional toll plazas where the vehicles queue up leading to congestion and wasting time. The new satellite-based tolling will help to reduce the traffic and travelling time.
At the same time, it will lower toll evasion by automatically tracking the vehicles to reduce evasion and generate high revenue in comparison to the traditional plazas.
Moreover, it will allow to charge based on the exact distance travelled and ensures the users pay only for the route they utilize. It improves fuel efficiency by lowering the stay of the vehicles at the plaza for a long time. Along with this, it generates data in detail on the movement of vehicles, and patterns to manage traffic and optimize the road infrastructure.
Benefits of the new tolling system:
The benefits of satellite-based tolling will not only benefit drivers and passengers but also the government and the environment. Such as, it will reduce the traffic that results in congestion which will allow the travelers to travel smoothly without staying idly near the plaza.
Furthermore, it will collect data in a detailed format, and generate higher revenue as the vehicle is equipped with OBS (Onboard Unit), GNNS (like GPS) and a SIM card will be linked with the user’s bank account, also reduce the manpower at the toll plaza by placing virtual tool booths.
Apart from all this, it will benefit the environment the most, because of less traffic, so less emission of harmful gases. This will result in improved public health and less air pollution.
Possible Outcomes:
The execution of a new tolling system could lead to a variety of outcomes, both positive and negative. The benefits are promising, careful and responsible to address the challenges and to ensure the success of this new initiative.
Meanwhile, its effectiveness will be fully dependent on how well the government and technology providers will manage the challenges and handle the public concerns while maximizing the probable outcome.
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