Indian road infrastructure is rapidly growing with new expressways and facilities. However, a major challenge remains: reducing the time spent at toll plazas. Although FASTags and better placement of Toll Plazas helped somewhat, there is still much to do. Recently, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced at the Times Drive Auto Summit and Awards 2026 that India could eliminate toll plazas by the end of 2026.
Traditional Toll Plazas will replace by GPS-Based Tolling System by 2026 end
“Drive at 80 kmph without stopping. We will capture your number plate and FASTag details, and the toll amount will be automatically deducted from your bank account based on kms traveled,” NitinGadkari said.
Why Traditional Systems Phased Out
The government states that toll plazas are becoming less effective for high-speed expressways. As traffic increases, even FASTag-enabled toll booths struggle to manage queues during peak hours. This results in wasted time, increased fuel use, and frequent disputes at toll points.
By transitioning to a fully automated, barrier-free system, the government wants tolling to be invisible to drivers, similar to metro gates or electronic parking systems. It should be fast, seamless, and hassle-free.
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