Srinagar, Dec 04: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that the existing manual toll collection system will be completely phased out within the next year, paving the way for a fully electronic, seamless tolling experience on national highways.
Speaking during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said the new electronic tolling system has already been launched at 10 locations and will be expanded nationwide within a year.
“This toll system will end. There will be no one to stop you in the name of toll. Within a year, an electronic toll collection mechanism will be implemented across the country,” Gadkari said, emphasizing the government’s push for smooth and efficient highway travel.
The Minister also informed Parliament that around 4,500 highway projects worth ₹10 lakh crore are currently underway across India, highlighting the rapid pace of infrastructure development.
According to a recent official statement, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has developed the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) system—an interoperable, unified platform designed to streamline toll payments across the country.
The backbone of NETC is FASTag, an RFID-based tag fixed on a vehicle’s windscreen. It enables automatic toll deduction from the user’s linked account without requiring the vehicle to halt at toll plazas, ensuring faster movement and reduced congestion on highways.
India’s transition to 100% electronic tolling is expected to significantly reduce travel time, cut fuel consumption, and enhance transparency in toll operations. (KINS)
