Delhi’s Dwarka Expressway will have a ‘free flow’ toll system for smooth rides
The NHAI is also exploring passive mechanisms to recover unpaid tolls.
New Delhi’s Dwarka Expressway will soon implement a ‘free flow toll system’ that would eliminate physical toll plazas. The system will use advanced FASTag readers and powerful cameras installed on overhead gantries to automatically collect tolls from vehicles traveling at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, The Times of India reported on Monday.
The Dwarka Expressway, which will be launched in the coming months, is all set to become the country’s first expressway without physical toll booths. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is working on the proposal for the 28-km highway to pave the way for satellite-based toll collection and improve compliance.
One of the main benefits of such a system is the elimination of traffic congestion. Although toll collection is carried out on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, there is a toll plaza in Meerut to monitor payment of user charges. In this case, toll gates will be installed at the Delhi-Gurgaon border, the report said, adding that toll collections are yet to be finalized.
NHAI sends proposal to recover unpaid toll fees
The NHAI is also exploring passive mechanisms to recover unpaid tolls. For this purpose, the agency has urged the Ministry of Transport to update the ‘Vahan’ system to streamline the process of fine collection. It has proposed adding a section titled “unpaid user fee due” to the online portal, similar to the display for unpaid traffic challenges.
To increase accountability, the proposal aims to penalize vehicle owners by banning them from transferring registration, obtaining a no-objection certificate or receiving an eligibility certificate until dues are paid. Owners have seven days to pay the outstanding amounts or appeal the notice, The Times of India report said.
Under the proposed satellite-based toll system, which is seen as a future solution for toll systems, the Global Navigation Satellite System will be used to track the movement of a vehicle to calculate the toll based on the distance traveled.
First publication: September 30, 2024 | 10:29 am IST