To solve the problems related to toll on national highways and expressways, the new toll policy proposed will not only provide relief of 50 percent in the toll fee on an average, but will also provide the facility of annual pass to the people at a one-time cost of Rs 3000. These passes will be valid on national highways and expressways as well as state expressways.
There will be no need to get a separate pass for this, rather the fee can be paid through the Fastag account itself. The new toll policy is almost ready and can be announced anytime. It also has a resolution to abolish toll gates within the time limit.
The car will run for a year for Rs. 3000
The new toll policy will be based on a fixed fee per kilometer instead of the arrangements of toll plazas. Roughly, a car will have to pay a toll fee of fifty rupees for a hundred kilometers. According to a source associated with the formulation of the new toll policy, currently only monthly passes are issued, which give relief to local people in crossing a toll plaza, but in the new policy, by getting an annual pass of three thousand rupees, a car can travel unlimited kilometers throughout the year and it will not have to pay any fee on any expressway or highway.
The damage will be compensated under this formula
The biggest hurdle in this was the existing contracts of concessionaires and contractors, which do not have any provision for such a facility. According to sources, to overcome their objections, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has agreed to compensate for the loss. That is, the concessionaires will keep a digital record of the vehicles passing through their toll plazas and the difference between their claim and actual recovery will be compensated by the government according to a formula.
This feature was considered earlier
According to sources, due to objections from concessionaires, different age limit rules for vehicles in different states and reluctance from banks, the government has now dropped the idea of ​​issuing lifetime passes. Earlier, it was thought of issuing a lifetime pass for Rs. 30,000 which would be valid for 15 years, but all parties could not agree on this. There were also less chances of consumers coming forward for this.
Barrier free electronic tolling system
The new toll policy is going to promote barrier-free electronic tolling. According to sources, three pilot projects related to this have yielded positive results. The level of accuracy is reaching around 98 percent. The concern with the banks has also been resolved that if a vehicle leaves the road network without paying the toll, then how will the toll be recovered. For this, banks will be given more powers. They can put a condition of minimum balance in other modes of payment including Fastag and can impose more penalty.
Where will the new facility be started from?
In formulating the new toll policy, the consultants have also advised the ministries to allow banks to participate in the ownership of way side amenities. It is expected to be started from Delhi-Jaipur highway. According to another official of the ministry, Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPR) for barrier free electronic tolling will be implemented in the entire country by the end of this year.
It will start with heavy vehicles and trucks carrying dangerous materials. The entire network has been mapped, new technology – sensors and cameras are being installed in all areas. Fastag and ANPR together will meet the need for a new-age toll system.
You will not have to move your car back and forth at the toll plaza
- The central government is also talking to the states to join this system so that all types of roads can be covered. Illegal-inactive fast tags are a big problem. Contrary to the claims of the government, officials associated with the highway management have held meetings with their agencies, concessionaires and project directors twice in the last 15 days to overcome the congestion at toll plazas and the inconvenience caused to the people.
- It is a common complaint of people that even after reaching close to the gate, the scanners do not work properly and they have to move their vehicle back and forth. This problem is also being faced at those toll plazas which are owned by global agencies. They say that the problem is of local technology. Due to the Fastag not being placed at the right place or being unauthorized, it takes time for the sensor to reset.
- The government implemented the policy of one vehicle, one fastag last year. After this, one crore fastags were cancelled, but there are still as many fastags which have become illegal or inactive, but they have either not been removed from the vehicles or they remain linked to the vehicle. Officials have asked toll operators to mark such vehicles.
Related Articles:-
Old Vehicle New Guidelines: Registration of 55 lakh vehicles cancelled, know the new rules?
Petrol-Diesel Price Update: New prices of petrol and diesel released Today, note the latest rate
New Namo Bharat train will soon run between these routes, check route & More
