India plans satellite-based tolling to replace plazas by 2028-29

The Indian government intends to introduce GNSS-based toll collection on select national highways by the 2028-29 fiscal year, moving away from fixed-point toll plazas. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has funded a centre of excellence at IIT Kanpur to design a robust system, and a pilot run in 2024 on a segment of the Golden Quadrilateral demonstrated promising outcomes. Under the new scheme, satellite positioning and in-vehicle devices would calculate fees based on the exact distance driven, allowing motorists to exit before a traditional toll point and pay only for the portion used.

Officials say the plan will operate alongside FASTag and multi-lane free-flow technologies, but specialists caution that enforcement, cybersecurity, data-privacy and alignment with existing concession contracts are critical hurdles. International examples such as Germany’s heavy-vehicle distance tolling and Singapore’s upcoming GNSS road-pricing show feasibility, yet India’s extensive network and varied terrain add complexity. A request for further details to the ministry has not been answered.