Annual Toll Pass to Replace Conventional Highway Toll Collection

News: The Indian government plans to introduce an annual toll pass system to replace traditional toll collection on national highways, aiming for seamless, barrier-free travel.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced pilot projects using satellite-based tolling at sites like Gharonda and Dwarka Expressway. However, due to infrastructure limitations, the focus is shifting to the ANPR-based FASTag system for automatic toll collection.

To ensure transparency, toll charges remain regulated under the National Highway-Fee Rules, 2008, with updates displayed online and at toll plazas. Over 325 highway projects now use the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) for improved monitoring. With toll revenue rising to ₹64,809 crore in FY 2023–24, the move seeks to modernize tolling while maintaining infrastructure funding.