New Toll Tax System: The government is thinking of instituting a satellite-based toll system, in which cars would only be required to pay tolls for the actual distance they go, eliminating the need for toll booths. For the toll tax, the government is thinking of implementing a “satellite based toll tax system” prior to the code of conduct for the next Lok Sabha elections. under which cars will only be required to pay toll tax for the actual distance they travel, and toll blocks will be eliminated. During Question Hour, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari provided the Rajya Sabha with this information.
Revolutionizing Toll Collection
He stated that the government is working to implement the best toll collection technology available worldwide, a satellite-based toll system. According to him, efforts are being made to have this mechanism in place in the nation before the code of conduct is put into place ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Gadkari said, “Under this system, toll points will be removed. People will not need to stay anywhere. The photo of the number plate of people’s vehicle will be taken and toll tax will be taken only for that distance from where they enter and exit and this amount will be deducted from the driver’s bank account.”
Current Toll Collection Statistics
He stated that the average daily collection from toll booths is Rs 49 thousand crore in response to a follow-up query. He said, “The Fast Tag system has been used by 98.5 percent people and 8.13 crore Fast Tags have been issued. Under this, an average toll of Rs 170 to 200 crore is collected every day.”
When asked about the BOT project after assuming the position of Transport Minister, Gadkari replied, “406 projects totaling Rs 3.85 lakh crore were closed during the time. Additionally, banks had non-performing assets (NPAs) valued at Rs 3 lakh crore. He claimed that by convening a conference with bank representatives and specialists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was able to find a solution.”
Cancellation of Projects
Gadkari said, “We canceled 20 percent of the projects. It is a great pleasure to say that we saved Indian banks from NPAs worth.” BOT projects, or “Build, Operate and Deliver,” are a popular concept in public-private partnerships. Gadkari stated that he had thought about changing the BOT system. He said that a BOT-prepared motorway connecting Pune and Aurangabad is currently under construction.
He said that the BOT operator will receive the four tolls on the current route in exchange for this. The operator will put in his own money to strive towards this. According to him, there are currently no issues with the BOT project.
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