Parliament Question: GNSS-based tolling and digital infrastructure

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3758 ANSWERED ON - 25/03/2026 GNSS-BASED TOLLING AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE 3758. SHRI S. SELVAGANABATHY: DR. MEDHA VISHRAMKULKARNI: SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY: SHRI DEEPAK PRAKASH: SHRI ASHOKRAO SHANKARRAO CHAVAN: SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA: SHRI NARHARI AMIN: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) how the integration of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with AI-enabled cameras has reduced toll plaza wait times; (b) what specific timeline has been set for the 100 per cent nationwide rollout of satellite-based tolling; (c) whether the National Highway Fee Rules have been amended to allow real-time toll deduction based on exact distance traveled; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) how much fuel savings are projected annually once physical barriers are eliminated across the 50,000-kilometer highway network? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) The Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling System leverages high-performance RFID readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems integrated with AI-enabled cameras to enable automatic identification of vehicles at highway speeds and seamless deduction of user fee through the FASTag ecosystem, thereby eliminating physical barriers and allowing uninterrupted traffic flow. As vehicles are not required to stop or slow down at fee plazas, this tolling system eliminates queues and waiting time on National Highways. (b) The Apex Committee and High-Level Empowered Committee consisting of Experts from Industry and Academia, in view of security and privacy considerations, breach and overall operational control, have recommended further deliberations for Satellite based Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling based on Indian constellation of Satellites. However, in effort to enhance toll operations and enable seamless movement of vehicles, the Government has decided to Page 1 of 4implement MLFF through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with AI analytics and RFID-based Electronic Toll Collection (FASTag) which facilitates barrier-less tolling on NHs. Multi-Lane Free Flow based Barrier less Tolling using existing FASTag (RFID)+ANPR/AI- Technology has been awarded on 16 fee plazas, as per Annexure A. Further, bids have been invited for additional 36 fee plazas, as per Annexure B. (c) to (d) On access-controlled highways, a closed user fee collection system is followed wherein the user fee is levied based on the actual distance travelled by a vehicle, determined through its entry and exit points on the highway. As per Rule 2(da) of the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, “closed user fee collection system” means a system under which the fee is levied based on the actual distance travelled by a mechanical vehicle on a National Highway or expressway. (e) Under the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system, high performance Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are used for deduction of user fee through existing FASTag system. These components operate concurrently for redundancy and enhance accuracy of toll transactions. No assessment study has been conducted. However, as it is a barrier less tolling system, it is expected to improve user convenience by offering faster and seamless travel, while also delivering significant economic benefits through cost savings, higher operational efficiency, environmental benefits, and improved productivity. Some of the expected key advantages are as under: (i) As vehicles are not required to stop or slow down at fee plaza lanes, it ensures smoother and uninterrupted journeys for road users. (ii) The elimination of queuing and waiting at fee plazas on National Highways reduces fuel consumption and leads to lower vehicular emissions, thereby benefiting the environment. (iii) In the absence of physical toll booths and barriers, operational and maintenance costs are substantially reduced, resulting in lower expenditure on infrastructure upkeep and manpower. (iv) Faster and uninterrupted movement of goods enhances logistics efficiency and lowers overall transportation costs. (v) Barrier-less tolling also improves user fee collection by enabling automated and efficient tolling operations at fee plazas on National Highways. Page 2 of 4ANNEXURE A ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3758 FOR ANSWER ON 25.03.2026 ASKED BY SHRI S. SELVAGANABATHY, DR. MEDHA VISHRAM KULKARNI, SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY, SHRI DEEPAK PRAKASH, SHRI ASHOKRAO SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA, SHRI NARHARI AMIN REGARDING GNSS-BASED TOLLING AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The details of fee plazas for which Request for Proposal (RFP) has been awarded for implementation of barrier less tolling: Sl. No. Fee Plaza NH / State Status Gharaunda NH-44 in Haryana Awarded 1. Chorayasi NH-48 in Gujarat Awarded 2. Daulatpura NH-48 in Rajasthan Awarded 3. Manoharpura NH-48 in Rajasthan Awarded 4. Shahjahanpur NH-48 in Rajasthan Awarded 5. Mundaka UER-II in Delhi Awarded 6. Boriach NH-48 in Gujarat Awarded 7. Nemili NH-48 in Tamil Nadu Awarded 8. Chenasamudram NH-48 in Tamil Nadu Awarded 9. Paranur NH-45 in Tamil Nadu Awarded 10. Kasepalli NH-44 in Andhra Pradesh Awarded 11. Amakathadu NH-44 in Andhra Pradesh Awarded 12. Marur NH-44 in Andhra Pradesh Awarded 13. Chalakwadi NH-50 in Maharashtra Awarded 14. Hiwargaon Pavsa NH-50 in Maharashtra Awarded 15. Badarpur Faridabad NH-19 in Haryana Awarded 16. Page 3 of 4ANNEXURE B ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3758 FOR ANSWER ON 25.03.2026 ASKED BY SHRI S. SELVAGANABATHY, DR. MEDHA VISHRAM KULKARNI, SMT. KIRAN CHOUDHRY, SHRI DEEPAK PRAKASH, SHRI ASHOKRAO SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA, SHRI NARHARI AMIN REGARDING GNSS-BASED TOLLING AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The details of fee plazas for which Request for Proposal (RFP) have been invited for implementation of barrier less tolling: Sl. No. Fee Plaza Name NH Number 1. Kurana 334 2. Sirohi Bahali 148B 11 3. Jiwana 709 B 4. Kathuwas 11 5. Ghamroj Sohna Road 248A 6. Tamsabad 709AD 7.. Kiranj 148 8. Patnipratapur 709AA 9. Bhuni 709A 10. Jagaheri 709AD 11. Bhanera 119 (New 34) 12. Chota Mawana 119 (New 34) 13. Dabhedi 709B 14. Mujhera 709AD 15. Narayanpura 48 16. Dakan kotra 48 17. Jaswantgarh (Gogunda) 27 18. Malera 27 19. Kishorepura 52 20. Beermandi 52 21. Mandana 52 22. Biratiya Kalan 25 23. Binawas 25 24. Dangiyawas 125A 25. Manaklao-TP-02 125A 26. Tankla 62 27. Netra 62 28. Hingonia 148C 29. Sitarampura 148C 30. Kishangarh 48 31. Thikariya 48 32. Tatiawas 52 33. Akhepura 52 34. Thirpali Badi 709 E 35. Titoli 11A Extn 36. Rabawata 11A Extn ***** Page 4 of 4