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New electronic toll system launched at 10 toll plazas across the country; Implementation on all highways within a year after trial
New Delhi, December 4, 2025 - Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today made a heartening announcement in the Lok Sabha. Stating that the traditional toll collection system in the country will be completely phased out within a year, he informed that the new electronic toll collection (ETC) system has been implemented at 10 toll plazas across the country for trial. This system is based on FASTag technology, and since vehicles do not need to stop, travel on highways will be easier and faster.
What is different about the new system?
In the current system, drivers have to stop at the toll plaza and pay through cash or card, which leads to long queues and loss of time. However, in the new ETC system, the RFID-based FASTag device installed on the windscreen of the vehicle automatically deducts the toll amount from the bank account as soon as it passes the toll gate. Due to this, vehicles will be able to move forward without stopping. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the system will make toll plazas 'invisible' and the highway network across the country will become completely digital.
Gadkari said, "The old method of collecting toll by stopping vehicles on the highway will now be history. This new system will provide great relief to motorists and save travel time. After the trial, this system will be implemented across the country within a year." The announcement was made during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, which has generated excitement among commuters.
Trial and future plans
Currently, the system has been started on trial at 10 major toll plazas. These include important routes like Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Chennai-Bengaluru Highway. If the trial is successful, the system will be activated on all national highways (which have over 1,500 toll plazas) by the end of 2026. This will increase efficiency by up to 30 per cent in the annual toll collection process and help reduce pollution, officials said.
Expected benefits
Time savings: Queues will be eliminated, travel time will be reduced by 20-30 minutes.
Safety: No need to stop, accidents will decrease.
Digital revolution: Highways will become completely cashless and digital.
Environmental benefits: Fuel will be saved, emissions will be reduced.
Experts believe that this step will revolutionize the road transport sector in India. However, Gadkari mentioned that the government is working on the challenges of internet connectivity and FASTag registration in rural areas. For more information, visit the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website.
New Delhi, December 4, 2025 - Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today made a heartening announcement in the Lok Sabha. Stating that the traditional toll collection system in the country will be completely phased out within a year, he informed that the new electronic toll collection (ETC) system has been implemented at 10 toll plazas across the country for trial. This system is based on FASTag technology, and since vehicles do not need to stop, travel on highways will be easier and faster.
What is different about the new system?
In the current system, drivers have to stop at the toll plaza and pay through cash or card, which leads to long queues and loss of time. However, in the new ETC system, the RFID-based FASTag device installed on the windscreen of the vehicle automatically deducts the toll amount from the bank account as soon as it passes the toll gate. Due to this, vehicles will be able to move forward without stopping. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the system will make toll plazas 'invisible' and the highway network across the country will become completely digital.
Gadkari said, "The old method of collecting toll by stopping vehicles on the highway will now be history. This new system will provide great relief to motorists and save travel time. After the trial, this system will be implemented across the country within a year." The announcement was made during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, which has generated excitement among commuters.
Trial and future plans
Currently, the system has been started on trial at 10 major toll plazas. These include important routes like Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Chennai-Bengaluru Highway. If the trial is successful, the system will be activated on all national highways (which have over 1,500 toll plazas) by the end of 2026. This will increase efficiency by up to 30 per cent in the annual toll collection process and help reduce pollution, officials said.
Expected benefits
Time savings: Queues will be eliminated, travel time will be reduced by 20-30 minutes.
Safety: No need to stop, accidents will decrease.
Digital revolution: Highways will become completely cashless and digital.
Environmental benefits: Fuel will be saved, emissions will be reduced.
Experts believe that this step will revolutionize the road transport sector in India. However, Gadkari mentioned that the government is working on the challenges of internet connectivity and FASTag registration in rural areas. For more information, visit the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website.
What is different about the new system?
In the current system, drivers have to stop at the toll plaza and pay through cash or card, which leads to long queues and loss of time. However, in the new ETC system, the RFID-based FASTag device installed on the windscreen of the vehicle automatically deducts the toll amount from the bank account as soon as it passes the toll gate. Due to this, vehicles will be able to move forward without stopping. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the system will make toll plazas 'invisible' and the highway network across the country will become completely digital.
Gadkari said, "The old method of collecting toll by stopping vehicles on the highway will now be history. This new system will provide great relief to motorists and save travel time. After the trial, this system will be implemented across the country within a year." The announcement was made during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, which has generated excitement among commuters.
Trial and future plans
Currently, the system has been started on trial at 10 major toll plazas. These include important routes like Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Chennai-Bengaluru Highway. If the trial is successful, the system will be activated on all national highways (which have over 1,500 toll plazas) by the end of 2026. This will increase efficiency by up to 30 per cent in the annual toll collection process and help reduce pollution, officials said.
Expected benefits
Time savings: Queues will be eliminated, travel time will be reduced by 20-30 minutes.
Safety: No need to stop, accidents will decrease.
Digital revolution: Highways will become completely cashless and digital.
Environmental benefits: Fuel will be saved, emissions will be reduced.
Experts believe that this step will revolutionize the road transport sector in India. However, Gadkari mentioned that the government is working on the challenges of internet connectivity and FASTag registration in rural areas. For more information, visit the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website.
