GNSS Toll System to Replace FASTag System in India | Seamless Toll Collection Ahead

India is on the cusp of a major transformation in its toll collection infrastructure as the GNSS Toll System gears up to replace the existing FASTag System. This move is aimed at creating a more accurate, efficient, and barrier-free tolling mechanism, aligning the country with international best practices in road usage management.

GNSS Toll System – If you also travel on highways or toll roads daily, then this news is very important for you. The central government is now gradually shutting down the traditional FASTag system and implementing the GNSS based toll collection system. Its purpose is to eliminate jams at toll plazas and make toll collection transparent. If you have not yet adopted the GNSS system, then you may have to face heavy fines in the future.

What is a GNSS toll system?

GNSS toll system is a satellite-based toll collection technology that does not require stopping at toll plazas. In this, the distance of your journey is tracked through the GNSS device installed in your vehicle, and the toll amount is deducted on that basis. This system is replacing the traditional FASTag and making tolling more transparent, fast, and convenient. GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a satellite-based tolling technology that charges tolls based on the location of vehicles. In this, there is no need to stop at the toll plaza; rather, the toll is charged on the basis of the distance covered by your vehicle.

The major advantages of this technique:

• You will not have to stop at the toll plaza
• Save time and fuel
• freedom from traffic jam
• Accurate tolling based on distance

Key Benefits Over FASTag

• Distance-Based Tolling: Unlike the flat-rate or plaza-based model of the TagsFASTag System, GNSS tolling charges users only for the distance they travel.
• No More Toll Plazas: The new system will make traditional toll booths obsolete, easing traffic bottlenecks and reducing fuel consumption.
• Enhanced Compliance & Transparency: With satellite tracking, the system provides better monitoring and enforcement capabilities, reducing toll evasion.
• Future-Ready Infrastructure: The GNSS framework opens the door for real-time traffic monitoring, congestion pricing, and smart mobility solutions.

What is the difference between FASTag and GNSS?

Both FASTag and GNSS are technologies used for toll collection, but there is a fundamental difference between the two. FASTag is an RFID based system in which sensors installed at the toll plaza scan the tag placed on the vehicle’s windscreen and collect the toll. Whereas GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a satellite based technology that deducts the toll directly from your account according to your travel distance without stopping at any toll booth. That is, while FASTag requires a toll plaza, GNSS is a completely digital and contactless method.

How to register in the GNSS toll system?

If you haven’t yet switched to a GNSS system, follow the steps below:
Equip the vehicle with a GNSS device (which can be procured from government-authorized dealers)
Register on the GNSS portal or mobile app with vehicle details
Link a bank account or digital wallet
Keep the GNSS device on and the network active when starting the trip

The government’s plan and implementation timeline

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has started a pilot project from April 2024. There is a plan to fully implement the GNSS system on all national highways of the country by the end of 2025. At present, this facility has been started voluntarily, but it will be made mandatory in the coming months.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a phased implementation of the GNSS Toll System, starting with commercial vehicles before expanding to private vehicles. A hybrid model is likely to be in place for some time, where both FASTag and GNSS systems co-exist to ensure a smooth transition.

Challenges Ahead

While the GNSS-based tolling offers significant advantages, its implementation will require:

• Installation of OBUs in millions of vehicles
• Development of robust data infrastructure
• Public awareness and acceptance

Despite these hurdles, the move marks a significant step toward intelligent transport systems and smart infrastructure.

Why risk a fine?

If vehicle owners do not implement GNSS systems in time and continue with the old method, two situations will occur:
A penalty may be levied for unauthorised toll entry
In case of error in toll payment, a double charge may be levied
There is also a possibility of a challan or permit cancellation by the RTO

Story of a common man – Mohan’s troubles

Mohan, who commutes daily from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh to Lucknow (UP) for office, was relying on the FASTag system. But one day, his FASTag was not scanned, and he had to pay double the toll. Later, it was found out that the GNSS system had been implemented there under a pilot project. Mohan not only had to pay extra, but also lost time. Now Mohan has adopted the GNSS system, and he does not have to stop anywhere during his journey.

From FASTag to GNSS: What’s Changing?

The TagsFASTag System, introduced in 2016, brought a significant shift from manual toll collection to electronic tolling via RFID tags affixed on vehicle windshields. While it greatly reduced wait times and congestion at toll plazas, the system still requires vehicles to slow down or stop at toll booths equipped with RFID readers.

The GNSS Toll System—short for Global Navigation Satellite System—is poised to change that entirely. Instead of relying on fixed toll plazas, the GNSS system uses satellite-based tracking to monitor vehicle movement and calculate toll charges based on the actual distance travelled on tolled highways.

How GNSS Tolling Works

The GNSS Toll System leverages satellite signals to track the vehicle’s journey in real time. A special on-board unit (OBU) fitted in vehicles interacts with GNSS satellites and transmits location data to a central tolling authority. The toll amount is then calculated based on the precise kilometers driven on tolled stretches, and automatically deducted from the user’s linked account.

This system is already in use in several European countries and offers a dynamic, location-based tolling mechanism that adapts to real-world usage instead of fixed toll points.

Final Thoughts

The shift from the TagsFASTag System to the GNSS Toll System is not just a technological upgrade—it’s a strategic leap toward smarter, more equitable road usage. With its promise of fair, distance-based pricing and zero congestion, GNSS tolling could redefine how India travels and pays for its highways.

Faq’s related to GNSS systems

Q1. Can GNSS devices be installed in older vehicles?
Yes, any vehicle can be equipped with a GNSS device, as long as it has the facility to receive GPS signals.

Q2. Are GNSS systems expensive?
There is some cost involved in the initial setup, but the toll accuracy and fuel savings make it worth it later.

Q3. Will toll be collected if there is no network?
GNSS devices store the data and send it to the server when the network is available, so billing is not affected.

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