Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasized that highway agencies should not charge tolls if the roads are not in good condition. Speaking at a global workshop on satellite-based tolling, Gadkari highlighted the need for better road quality before collecting toll fees. He firmly stated, “No toll on poor condition roads,” underscoring the importance of maintaining high standards for infrastructure to ensure that taxpayers receive value for their money.
Addressing a global workshop on satellite-based tolling, Gadkari made it very clear that there should be “No toll on poor condition roads.” Gadkari insisted that highway agencies must prioritize road quality before imposing toll charges on commuters.
Quality Service for Toll Collection
Gadkari stated, “If you don’t provide good quality service, you should not charge toll.” He stressed that agencies should ensure roads are well-maintained before imposing toll charges. “We are in a hurry to start tolling to collect user fees and protect our interest,” he added. Gadkari pointed out that charging tolls on roads with potholes or mud would lead to public dissatisfaction and backlash.
New Toll Collection System
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to introduce a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. This new system will initially be implemented for commercial vehicles and later for private vehicles. The GNSS-based ETC will work alongside the current RFID-based ETC within the existing FASTag system.
Additional Measures by NHAI
NHAI is also considering additional measures such as driver behavior analysis and fraud detection. These measures could enable faster credit from banks based on travel plans. The goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of toll collection while ensuring road quality.
Gadkari’s statement underscores the importance of maintaining high-quality roads before charging tolls. The introduction of the GNSS-based tolling system aims to enhance toll collection efficiency. However, the focus remains on providing the best quality roads for users. By implementing these measures, the government seeks to ensure fair toll collection practices and improve the overall travel experience for road users.
