New Delhi, India — March 11, 2026
India’s highway infrastructure could soon undergo a major transformation. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that all toll plazas across the country may be removed by the end of 2026, to be replaced by a modern GPS-based toll collection system.
The new system, based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, will allow vehicles to travel on highways without stopping at toll booths. Officials say the move could significantly reduce travel time, fuel consumption, and traffic congestion.
The announcement marks the next step in India’s highway modernization, going beyond the current FASTag electronic toll collection system, which already reduced waiting times at toll plazas.
How the GPS-Based Toll System Will Work
The upcoming toll system will calculate charges based on the distance a vehicle travels on the highway rather than fixed toll sections.
Distance-Based Toll Charges
Under the current toll system, drivers often pay for the entire stretch between two toll plazas even if they exit the highway earlier. With the GNSS system, drivers will only pay for the exact distance traveled.
Automatic Toll Deduction
Vehicles equipped with a GNSS device will be tracked through satellite positioning. The toll fee will be automatically deducted from the linked bank account, eliminating the need to stop or slow down at toll booths.
End of Physical Toll Booths
The new system will gradually remove the need for physical toll plazas.
Faster Travel
Without toll barriers, highways could become free-flow corridors, allowing vehicles to travel continuously without interruption.
Reduced Fuel Consumption
Authorities believe the change will help reduce fuel wastage and vehicle emissions, as cars and trucks will no longer idle in long toll queues.
Technology and Privacy Safeguards
For vehicles that do not have GNSS devices installed, authorities plan to use high-speed cameras with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
These cameras will identify vehicle registration numbers and calculate toll charges accordingly.
Government officials have also stated that location data collected through GNSS will be used only for toll calculation, and strict measures will be implemented to ensure data privacy and security.
Nationwide Implementation Target: 2026
The government aims to roll out the system across all **National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) highways by December 2026.
Pilot projects are expected to begin on select high-traffic corridors such as the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, where the technology will be tested before nationwide implementation.
If successful, the new system could make India one of the few countries to adopt fully satellite-based toll collection across a national highway network.
Other Infrastructure Developments
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Trials
India is also preparing to test the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, with trial runs expected to conclude by the end of March.
Road Expansion for Char Dham Yatra
Meanwhile, road widening and infrastructure upgrades are underway in **Uttarakhand ahead of the upcoming **Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage season.
Officials say these projects are being executed on a fast-track basis to improve connectivity and safety for travelers.
