Answer:

According to the NHAI, India’s tolled road network expanded to 45,428 km in 2023, a 75% increase from 25,996 km in 2019. Despite this expansion, challenges persist, as recent data shows delays in toll collection that contribute to traffic congestion. Addressing these challenges is essential for enhancing road travel efficiency and revenue collection, requiring an analysis of current measures and exploring additional solutions.

Primary challenges facing India’s toll system today:

• Congestion and Delays: Despite introducing the FASTag system, long queues and delays at toll plazas remain a significant issue. Technical glitches and low adoption of digital payment methods in some regions exacerbate this problem.
  For example: Constant traffic jams at Khed Shivapur toll plaza in Maharashtra. 
• High Operational Costs: The cost of operating and maintaining toll plazas, including the salaries of employees, maintenance of infrastructure, and the use of technology, adds to the financial burden, reducing the overall efficiency of the system.
• Transparency issues: RTI activists have revealed discrepancies in toll data (such as Data manipulation and huge differences between reported and actual traffic), such as the one on the Pune expressway. Additionally, the lack of stringent enforcement further aggravates the problem.
• Non-uniform Toll Rates: Variation in toll rates across different regions, stretches of highways, and inconsistent pricing based on vehicle types create confusion and dissatisfaction among commuters. The lack of transparency and clear rationale for toll pricing adds to public discontent.
• Lack of Infrastructure Integration: Many toll roads are not seamlessly integrated with the national road network or urban transport systems, leading to inefficiencies.

Government initiatives introduced to address the challenges in India’s toll system:

• FASTag Implementation: The National Electronic Toll Collection system, via FASTag, promotes cashless transactions and reduces congestion at toll plazas by using RFID technology for automatic toll fee deductions, and is now mandatory for all vehicles.
• One Nation, One FASTag: This initiative standardised toll collection nationwide, ensuring FASTag interoperability across all toll plazas, regardless of the highway operator or state, offering commuters a seamless experience and reducing confusion over toll charges.
• GPS-based GNSS Toll System: The government is piloting a GPS-based toll collection system to address inefficiencies like congestion at toll plazas and ensure vehicle tracking for distance-based toll collection, reducing the need for physical toll booths
• CCTV Surveillance and Hybrid Lanes: The government has installed CCTV systems at toll plazas to monitor traffic and prevent toll evasion. Hybrid lanes, accepting both FASTag and cash payments, have also been introduced to ensure smooth traffic flow, particularly in areas with lower FASTag adoption.
• Private Sector Involvement through PPP: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models have been introduced in toll road development to involve private players, aiming to enhance infrastructure quality, improve service delivery, and ensure better maintenance of toll plazas.

Measures that could further improve India’s toll system:

• Full Transition to GPS-based Tolling: Accelerating the adoption of GPS-based toll collection, which charges by distance travelled, could eliminate physical toll plazas, reducing congestion, revenue leakage, and ensuring a more efficient, transparent system.
• Improved Data Integration and Analytics: Leveraging data analytics and real-time monitoring at toll plazas can predict congestion, detect toll evasion, and optimise traffic flow, while integrating toll data with broader traffic management systems enhances road infrastructure management.
• Dynamic Toll Pricing: A dynamic pricing model that adjusts toll rates based on traffic volume and time of day could help manage peak-hour congestion, encouraging more efficient road usage and reducing bottlenecks.
• Strengthening Enforcement Mechanisms: The government could curb toll evasion by enhancing surveillance with Automated Number Plate Recognition systems and imposing stricter penalties, improving compliance and boosting revenue collection.
• Expansion of Toll-Free and Low-Cost Road Alternatives: Developing alternative routes and expanding toll-free roads for local travellers could reduce public opposition to tolls, while offering lower rates for eco-friendly vehicles would promote sustainable transportation.

Although government initiatives have improved efficiency, persistent issues such as congestion and evasion require more robust solutions. Adopting advanced technologies like GPS-based tolling and dynamic pricing, coupled with stricter enforcement, can enhance the toll system. Implementing these measures will ensure a more streamlined, effective, and fair tolling experience for all users.

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