Starting May 1, road travel on India’s national highways is expected to get much smoother, thanks to the upcoming GPS-based toll collection system.
GNSS is a satellite-based technology that tracks how far a vehicle travels on the highway.
Based on the distance covered, toll charges will be automatically deducted from one's bank account.
Starting May 1, 2025, road travel on India’s national highways is expected to get much smoother, thanks to the upcoming GPS-based toll collection system. This new system will eventually replace the current FASTag method, making toll payments completely automatic and hassle-free.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently confirmed the change, saying, “In next 15 days we are coming with toll policy and you will satisfy from our toll policy (National Highways). We are starting satellite toll system so that you don’t have to stop for toll plazas…”
The system, called the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), was initially planned for April 1, but is now set to be rolled out on May 1, 2025.
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What is GNSS and how does it work?
GNSS is a satellite-based technology that tracks how far a vehicle travels on the highway. Based on the distance covered, toll charges will be automatically deducted from one’s bank account. Unlike current toll systems, this one doesn’t require drivers to slow down or stop their vehicles at toll plazas.
This system will help save both time and money, while also speeding up the toll collection process.
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How is GNSS different from FASTag?
FASTag was a big improvement over cash payments, as it allowed vehicles to pay tolls digitally. However, drivers still had to pass through toll booths, which often caused traffic jams, especially during busy hours.
The GNSS system is designed to eliminate physical toll plazas altogether. Instead of being scanned at a booth, a vehicle’s location will be tracked by satellites using virtual toll points. Based on this data, the distance travelled will be calculated and the toll amount will be deducted automatically.
With this new system, India is stepping into a smarter way of managing road travel, aiming to make journeys faster and less stressful for everyone.
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Ayushi Jain
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