Context:
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will introduce a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based Electronic Toll Collection system in India.
More on the news
- Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI, has invited Global Expression of Interest (EOI) from innovative and qualified companies to develop and implement a GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection system in India.
- NHAI will introduce a GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system within the existing FASTag ecosystem. It will initially use a hybrid model in which both RFID-based ETC and GNSS-based ETC will operate simultaneously.
- The EOI aims to identify experienced and capable companies that can deliver a robust, scalable, and efficient Toll Charger Software, which will serve as the backbone for the implementation.
What is GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system?
- It is a barrier-free method of Electronic Toll Collection in which road users are charged based on the distance they have travelled on the tolled Highway stretch.
- The system uses a Satellite or Constellation of Satellites to track vehicle movement and calculate tolls based on the distance travelled on tolled Highways.
- The lanes will have advanced readers to identify GNSS vehicles, and additional fees will be charged from non-GNSS vehicles entering GNSS lanes.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- It was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1988 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. But authority became operational in February, 1995.
- It aims to develop, maintain and manage the National Highways entrusted to it by the Government of India.
- Headquarters: New Delhi
Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL)
- NHAI jointly with its Concessionaires and Financial Institutions incorporated IHMCL in 2012 under the Companies Act, 1956.
- It was incorporated to carry out Electronic Tolling and other allied works by NHAI jointly with its Concessionaires and Financial Institutions.
The shareholding pattern of stakeholders is
- NHAI-41.38%,
- Concessionaires-33.81%
- Financial Institutions 24.81%.
Headquarters: New Delhi
Significance of GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system
- It provides a seamless and barrier-free tolling experience to National Highway.
- It will enhance toll collection efficiency by reducing leakages and preventing toll evasion.
- Distance-based tolling, where users will pay only for the stretch they have travelled on a National Highway will be beneficial for the travellers.
- It aims to eliminate physical toll booths on highways, thus improving travel convenience.