Good News For Vehicles …There Will Be no FASTag.. Coming on GPS Based Toll System..!
Earlier motorists used to pay toll charges manually at toll plazas. Later FASTAG was introduced to collect toll charges automatically.
Now, in place of this, the center is introducing a new GPS-based toll collection system. Motorists need to recharge existing FASTag with sufficient cash balance. Government of India is planning to switch from FASTags to GPS based toll system without such headaches every time. This will make highway travel faster and smoother.
Fastags are electronic tags. With these, motorists can pay toll charges without stopping at toll plazas. They were introduced in 2016 to reduce traffic congestion and waiting time. However, motorists are still facing some issues like low-balance alerts and technical glitches. The Indian government is planning to bring a GPS based toll system as a solution.
Many features
GPS based toll system is a new technology. Currently it is being tested on some roads like Atal Setu in Mumbai. It works by scanning the number plates of moving vehicles with special cameras. The cameras work with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. In this system, the toll amount is debited from the bank account linked to the vehicle registration. A GPS-based toll system offers several advantages over FASTags. That is..
These are the benefits..
If the GPS toll collection system becomes available, there will be no need to slow down or stop the vehicles at the toll plazas. This can save travel time. This eliminates the hassle of recharging Fastags or worrying about sufficient balance. This improves the user experience. Vehicles can drive continuously without any interruption. This will prevent traffic problems.
Will there be fastags?
A GPS-based toll system is unlikely to completely replace FASTags. The government plans to gradually implement it everywhere, starting with the main roads. But this does not make Fastags useless as it comes. These can also be used on short roads or as a backup option in the future.
Starting soon
The central government hopes to launch the GPS-based toll system across the country by early May, 2024. After the success of the pilot projects, the system can be rolled out immediately after resolving any issues like data privacy. All in all a GPS based toll system can completely change the highway travel experience in India. By eliminating toll booths, providing a more efficient system, it will improve travel time and convenience for crores of commuters and freighters across the country.