No Toll Barrier Rules 2027: There is welcome news for motorists traveling on the country’s national highways. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has clarified that the central government is moving rapidly towards making all toll plazas across the country barrier-free. Addressing the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, Gadkari stated that the government aims to completely eliminate vehicle queues and waiting times at toll plazas by March 2027, ensuring vehicles do not have to stop to pay tolls. Describing FASTag as a success story, Gadkari noted that while users faced some initial issues, the system has been continuously improved based on public feedback.
Toll deduction without stopping
Hybrid Technology: The new barrier-free system will operate using a combination of FASTag and automatic number-plate recognition cameras.
No stopping on the road: High-speed cameras will automatically deduct the toll via the number plate and FASTag as the vehicle passes through.
Timeline: There is a plan to implement this technology at major toll plazas by February-March of next year, leading to the removal of barriers at toll booths.
‘Weigh-in-Motion’ technology for overloaded vehicles
The government is set to take strict measures to curb the overloading of commercial trucks, a major cause of premature road deterioration and accidents. To this end, the government is developing a technology that will instantly determine a truck’s actual weight while it is in motion. This real-time automatic weight-checking system will be directly linked to the challan (fine) and compliance mechanisms, effectively putting a stop to weight manipulation and toll evasion. Fuel Savings and Reduction in Logistics Costs
Expressing concern over fuel wastage caused by engines remaining on while vehicles wait at toll plazas, Gadkari stated that the waiting time for vehicles at these plazas should not exceed 10 seconds; this is the government’s clear objective. Minimizing the time taken to cross toll plazas to near-zero levels would result in significant fuel savings and enhance logistics efficiency. Referring to Mumbai’s infrastructure, he noted that the city has been provided with 55 new flyovers, which have played a crucial role in managing traffic.
Regarding the availability of funds for highway construction and infrastructure projects, the Union Minister highlighted the confidence shown by both domestic and foreign investors. Gadkari mentioned that NHAI’s InvIT bonds have received an overwhelming response from investors. He further noted that international…
