New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced a major overhaul of India’s toll collection mechanism, stating that a new electronic tolling system will be rolled out across the country within the next year. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Gadkari said the existing toll plazas would be fully phased out and replaced with a seamless, technology-driven system designed to eliminate stoppages on national highways.
According to the minister, the new system has already been introduced at ten locations as part of pilot testing. “Once the new system is implemented nationwide, no vehicle will be halted for toll collection. The era of stopping commuters at toll gates is coming to an end,” Gadkari assured the House.
As per a recent official statement, the government is pushing for widespread adoption of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) framework, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The initiative aims to streamline road travel and reduce congestion at plazas.
Under the system, toll payments are made using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. The device enables automatic deduction of toll charges from the linked account as the vehicle passes through the tolling point, without requiring the driver to stop or slow down significantly.
By transitioning to a fully electronic mechanism, the government hopes to enhance efficiency, reduce travel time, and improve fuel savings for commuters. The move is also expected to strengthen transparency in toll collection and curb revenue leakage.
With preparations underway for nationwide implementation, the ministry says the goal is to ensure a completely barrier-free highway experience within the coming year.