India Scraps Satellite Toll System! Here’s the New High-Tech Plan to Eliminate Toll Plazas
Satellite Toll System: The Indian government is set to revolutionize highway travel by introducing a new, seamless toll collection system, but it won’t be the one initially proposed. The ambitious plan to implement a satellite-based (GPS) toll system has been officially scrapped. This decision marks a significant shift in strategy, moving towards a more practical and less intrusive technology to eliminate toll plazas and long queues on national highways.
Why Was the Satellite Toll System Scrapped?
The proposal for a GPS-based toll system involved tracking vehicles using satellite technology and deducting the toll based on the exact distance travelled on the highway. While technologically advanced, this plan ran into several major roadblocks that led to its cancellation.
Key concerns included:
- Privacy Issues: The system would require constant tracking of a vehicle’s location, raising significant privacy concerns among citizens. The idea of continuous monitoring was met with considerable opposition.
- Implementation Challenges: A GPS-based system would necessitate the installation of a dedicated GPS device in every vehicle, including older models. This presented a massive logistical and financial challenge for a country with millions of vehicles on the road.
- Cost Factor: The cost of installing and maintaining the required GPS hardware in every car would have placed a burden on vehicle owners.
The New Way Forward: ANPR-Based Toll Collection
With the satellite plan off the table, the government, under the guidance of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, is now focusing on an Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) camera-based system. This technology is seen as a more feasible and efficient alternative.
The ANPR system works by using high-resolution cameras installed on gantries at entry and exit points of toll roads. These cameras will capture images of a vehicle’s license plate. The system will then automatically read the number plate, identify the vehicle, and deduct the appropriate toll amount from the bank account linked to that vehicle. This process eliminates the need for both FASTags and physical toll booths, allowing for a truly seamless flow of traffic.
| Feature | Scrapped GPS System | New ANPR System |
|---|---|---|
| Core Technology | Satellite-based GPS tracking | High-resolution cameras |
| Vehicle Requirement | Mandatory GPS device in every car | Standardized, clear number plate |
| Privacy Impact | High (constant vehicle tracking) | Low (only captures image at toll points) |
| User Experience | Seamless but requires hardware installation | Completely seamless, no extra hardware |
This strategic shift to an ANPR system aligns with the government’s vision of a “toll-booth-free” India. It aims to reduce travel time, decrease fuel consumption caused by idling at toll plazas, and provide a hassle-free experience for commuters on national highways. While a pilot program is already underway, the nationwide implementation of this new-age toll system is expected to redefine highway travel in the near future.