Free Highway Travel for Private Cars: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India has announced a major update to the toll collection system that will benefit millions of private vehicle owners. The amendment, named the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Amendment Rules, 2024, introduces a toll-free allowance for private vehicles traveling short distances on national highways and expressways, aiming to simplify toll collection and reduce costs for drivers on shorter routes.

What’s the New Policy?

According to the updated rules, private vehicles equipped with a working Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) will not be charged tolls for journeys up to 20 km per day on highways. For trips exceeding 20 km, tolls will be calculated based on the actual distance traveled.

The ministry’s notification states, “A driver, owner, or person in charge of a mechanical vehicle, excluding National Permit vehicles, using the same section of the national highway, bridge, bypass, or tunnel will be exempted from toll fees for up to 20 km in each direction per day under the GNSS-based toll system.”

The implementation of GNSS-based toll collection has been considered for a while, with a pilot project already tested alongside the current FASTag system. This technology aims to enhance toll collection efficiency, reduce congestion at toll plazas, and offer a smoother travel experience.

The notification also mentions, “An exclusive lane may be designated for vehicles equipped with a GNSS On-Board Unit, and any vehicle without a valid, functional GNSS On-Board Unit entering such a lane will be subject to a fee double that of the regular toll at the fee plaza.”