Dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles using the system to pass through freely.
Representational image
The ministry has invited global expressions of interest (EOIs) from innovative and qualified companies to develop and implement Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based electronic toll collection in India, proposed for a seamless and barrier-free tolling experience for national highway users and enhanced efficiency and transparency of toll operations
Inching towards making satellite-based tolling a reality, the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has taken a crucial step in this direction.
The ministry has invited global expressions of interest (EOIs) from innovative and qualified companies to develop and implement Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based electronic toll collection in India.
The invitation for EOIs was issued by Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) promoted by the ministry’s NHAI.
Satellite-based tolling in India has been proposed for a seamless and barrier-free tolling experience for national highway users and enhanced efficiency and transparency of toll operations.
Past MCC speed bump
The ministry earlier this year conducted pilots of GPS-based tolling at the Bengaluru-Mysore national highway in Karnataka and it was expected that the technology would be launched before the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. However, that could not happen.
Soon after the model code of conduct ended as the Lok Sabha polls were completed successfully, the tender was issued.
“NHAI plans to implement the GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system within the existing FASTag ecosystem, initially using a hybrid model where both RFID-based ETC and GNSS-based ETC will operate simultaneously,” MoRTH said in a statement.
Dedicated GNSS lanes will be available at toll plazas, allowing vehicles using the system to pass through freely.
As GNSS-based ETC becomes more widespread, all lanes will eventually be converted to such lanes.
“To leverage the advance satellite technology, the EOI aims to identify experienced and capable companies that can deliver a robust, scalable, and efficient Toll Charger Software, which will serve as the backbone for the implementation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) in India,” the ministry added
The invitation for EOIs also includes a complete plan of implementation and seeks suggestions on this.
Interested companies can email their interest to tenders@ihmcl.com by July 22.
Implementation of GNSS-based ETC in India is aimed at providing many benefits to highway users such as barrier-less free-flow tolling leading to hassle-free riding experience and distance-based tolling where users will pay only for the stretch they have travelled on a national highway.
The mechanism will also result in more efficient toll collection as it helps to plug leakages and check evaders.
The system will further help to provide a smoother, and seamless journey to commuters on national highways, the ministry added.
How will the new system work
As and when implemented, tolling will be done online either through automatic number plate recognition cameras or a GPS device installed in the car that will read the location of the vehicle.
There will be a device at the entry and exit of the toll stretch that will read the location of the car. So drivers not using the entire stretch will only pay for the distance they travelled. It is particularly going to benefit riders using smaller sections.
“Just like there was a transition from cash towards FASTag, there will be another transition from FASTag towards GPS. This may take some time from a few months to some years but we are hopeful that it is going to benefit both the users as well as the ministry,” an official told News18 on condition of anonymity.
