Gadkari says that the government is now thinking about two options at toll plazas: a satellite-based toll system, in which the toll would be taken right away from the driver’s bank account through the car’s GPS, and a number-plate system.Â
Highlights
- Introduce automatic number-plate reader cameras for vehicle number plates.
- The typical wait time for cars at toll plazas during 2018–19 was 8 minutes.
- Instead of employing FASTag, GPS is being implemented through the use of satellites.
On Tuesday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the government is running pilot programmes to replace toll plazas with an automatic number plate recognition system that would allow tolls to be deducted from the bank accounts of car owners.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a state-owned corporation, raised its toll revenue by Rs 15,000 crore annually following the implementation of FASTags, according to the road transport and highways minister, who was speaking at the Mindmine Summit.
Without providing any other information, he remarked, “And now, we are planning to introduce automotive number plate technology (Automatic Number Plate Reader cameras) through which there will be no toll plazas.”
The typical wait time for cars at toll plazas during 2018–19 was 8 minutes. The average wait time for cars has now decreased to 47 seconds as a result of the implementation of FASTags in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Even though there has been a significant reduction in waiting times, there are still occasional delays at toll plazas during peak hours in some places, particularly those close to cities and heavily populated towns.
(Image source: Deccan Herald)
Gadkari to give two solutions at Toll Plazas
Gadkari said last month that the government is now thinking about two solutions. These are number plates and a satellite-based toll system where the GPS is installed in the vehicle and the toll is taken directly from the passenger’s bank account.
The technology is also accessible on the number plate, and there is good technology available in India, he added. “We are in the process of adopting GPS instead of FASTag while utilising satellite, and on the basis of which we want to take the toll,” he said. Though we haven’t made an official decision, the minister had stated that “we will select the technology.”
Regarding the number plate technology, the minister had stated that “there will be no toll plaza and there will be a sophisticated computerised digital system by which we can give relief. There will be no queues and people will get great relief.”
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