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Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday the imminent implementation of a satellite-based toll collection system, signalling an end to traditional tolls. 

 

Under this new system, charges will be dynamically determined based on the distance travelled, with funds deducted directly from users' bank accounts.

 

"Now we are ending toll and there will be a satellite base toll collection system. Money will be deducted from your bank account and the amount of road you cover will be charged accordingly. Through this time and money can be saved. Earlier, it used to take 9 hours to travel from Mumbai to Pune, now it is reduced to 2 hours," Gadkari said.

#WATCH | Nagpur: On Toll tax, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says, "Now we are ending toll and there will be a satellite base toll collection system. Money will be deducted from your bank account and the amount of road you cover will be charged accordingly. Through this time and… pic.twitter.com/IHWJNwM0QF

— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2024

Highlighting the importance of projects like Bharatmala, which aims to develop 26,000 km of economic corridors, Gadkari underscored their role in handling the nation's freight traffic.

 

He expressed confidence in achieving his vision of elevating India's National Highway network to match international standards, akin to America's road infrastructure.

 

In a bid to expedite the implementation of the satellite-based toll system, Gadkari previously announced NHAI's intention to roll out the system by March 2024.

 

Efforts to streamline toll plaza processes, including the introduction of FASTag, have already shown promising results, with average waiting times reduced to just 47 seconds.

 

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing fiscal year, construction and expansion activities on National Highways have seen a notable increase of approximately 10%. 

 

However, there has been a decline in the allocation of new construction projects by 52% this year.