Toll : India is entering a new era of transportation with its revolutionary toll policy that aims to completely remove physical toll booths from highways. Announced as part of the government’s 2025 roadmap for digital infrastructure and road safety, this bold move is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve fuel efficiency, and bring more transparency to toll collection.
Let’s dive deep into what this policy means, how it works, and what it means for everyday commuters and the future of Indian road travel.
Why the Change? Understanding the Need for Toll Booth Elimination
For years, physical toll booths have caused long queues, traffic snarls, and fuel wastage on Indian highways. Even with the introduction of FASTag, many bottlenecks remain, especially during peak travel times. Physical booths also require human manpower, involve operational costs, and sometimes lead to toll evasion or disputes over charges.
The new policy is designed to eliminate all these inefficiencies by adopting a more advanced, technology-driven approach. The goal is to replace toll plazas with automatic, GPS-based toll collection that doesn’t require vehicles to stop or even slow down.
What is the New Toll Policy All About?
Under the new tolling system, India will implement GPS-based toll collection, which means:
- No stopping at toll plazas
- No cash handling
- No FASTag scanning required
- Charges based on distance traveled on toll roads
Every vehicle will have a GPS tracking device installed. As the vehicle travels on a tolled highway, the system will automatically calculate the toll amount based on the exact distance covered and deduct it from the linked bank account or wallet.
The policy is expected to be rolled out in phases starting in mid-2025, with full implementation across major national highways targeted by 2027.
How GPS-Based Tolling Works
Here’s a simplified step-by-step process:
- GPS Tracking Device Installation: All vehicles will be fitted with a tamper-proof GPS unit, either during manufacturing or retrofitted at authorized centers.
- Real-Time Location Monitoring: The GPS continuously tracks the vehicle’s location on the toll network.
- Distance-Based Billing: Once the vehicle enters a tolled road, the system calculates the distance traveled.
- Auto-Deduction of Toll: The amount is deducted automatically through the linked payment system – like FASTag, UPI, bank accounts, or e-wallets.
- Digital Receipts: Drivers receive an instant digital receipt for transparency.
Benefits of Eliminating Physical Toll Booths
1. Reduced Traffic Congestion
Without physical barriers and queues, highways will experience smoother traffic flow, especially at peak hours and during festive seasons.
2. Time and Fuel Savings
Stopping at toll booths wastes both time and fuel. With the new system, vehicles maintain a consistent speed, leading to better fuel efficiency and shorter travel times.
3. Transparency and Accuracy
With GPS-based distance tracking, drivers only pay for the stretch of highway they use, not the full toll segment, ensuring fairer billing.
4. Lower Operational Costs
The government can save significantly on toll plaza maintenance, manpower, and surveillance systems.
5. Reduced Emissions
Smooth traffic movement without halts reduces CO₂ emissions and supports India’s climate goals.
Challenges in Implementation
While the policy brings enormous benefits, the shift won’t be without hurdles:
- Technology Setup: Retrofitting old vehicles with GPS devices and creating a robust backend system requires time and investment.
- Data Privacy Concerns: Tracking vehicles in real-time may raise concerns about misuse or unauthorized access to location data.
- Network Coverage: Seamless internet and satellite tracking are essential, especially in remote or mountainous areas.
- Digital Awareness: Rural and older vehicle owners may need support and education to adopt the new system.
What It Means for Vehicle Owners
Private Car Owners: You may need to get your vehicle fitted with a GPS device, linked to your payment method. You will no longer stop at toll booths and will only pay for the road you use.
Truck and Commercial Vehicle Operators: This will be a game-changer for long-haul operators. Efficient tolling means faster delivery and lower operational costs.
Fleet Owners: Monitoring and managing toll expenses for multiple vehicles becomes easier with centralized data and digital receipts.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is working closely with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and tech providers to finalize pilot projects. It is expected that:
- Urban expressways and smart city corridors will be the first to implement the system.
- By mid-2025, top metro-to-metro highway routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Bengaluru-Hyderabad, and Chennai-Kolkata will begin trials.
- GPS devices may be subsidized initially to encourage faster adoption.
- FASTag will continue to function during the transition phase.
Conclusion: A Futuristic Leap in Indian Transportation
India’s decision to eliminate physical toll booths is not just a policy reform—it’s a leap into the future of smart mobility. By leveraging GPS technology, this move will solve decades-old issues faced by drivers and transporters. It aligns with the government’s Digital India and Ease of Living mission.
As the country prepares to embrace this transformation, road users can look forward to faster, smoother, and fairer journeys—without the headache of stopping at toll booths.
So the next time you hit the highway, imagine cruising past where the toll booth once stood—because that’s the direction India is driving in.