There was a time when people used to cross the toll plaza by paying in cash, then the government brought the facility of Fastag and now the government is preparing to make major changes in the toll tax collection system before the elections. If reports are to be believed, the government may remove all toll booths and start a satellite-based toll collection system.

With the introduction of a satellite toll system, the general public will benefit somewhere, car drivers will not need to stop anywhere, and photographs of the number plates of vehicles can be captured at the entry and exit. After the arrival of the new system, you will have to pay only for the distance you have traveled on the highway.

How will toll tax be deducted?

Now this question must be roaming in your mind that if the toll plaza is removed then how will the money be deducted from Fastag? After the arrival of the satellite toll system, toll money will be deducted from your bank account. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has recently informed in Rajya Sabha that preparations are going on to start a satellite-based toll system soon.

An official of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which is implementing this technology, said that testing has been done in Delhi and Gurugram and testing will soon be started in Bengaluru also.

How will the satellite system work?

Every vehicle registering for the Global Navigation Satellite System must be fitted with an on-board unit (OBU) and this device will be linked to the satellite. The OBU will be similar to a vehicle tracking system and will be made mandatory for certain vehicles, especially those carrying hazardous chemicals. This OBU device will be linked to the wallet from which the toll amount will be deducted.

What will happen to crores of Fastags?

In 2016, the government first brought the facility of Fastag, which was made mandatory in January 2021. Till now more than 8 crore Fastags have been issued, now the question arises of what will happen to Fastag after the satellite-based toll system is started.