(a) whether there is any proposal for installing electronic toll tax collection system on the National Highways in the country;
(b) if so, the details of places identified for the purpose, State-wise;
(c) whether complaints regarding toll tax and mechanism for its collection would be addressed through the proposed mechanism; and
(d) the time by which the said mechanism is likely to be installed?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a) to (b): Yes, Madam. The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system will be installed
on National Highways across the country. Selection of a Consultant for selection of a System
Integrator through bid is in process. The System envisages to achieve the following:
(i) Vehicles should be uniquely identified and classified through On Board Unit (OBU),
say Tag and the Road Side Unit, say Reader, once it passes through the toll gate;
(ii) Toll should be immediately charged from the vehicle once it passes through the toll
gate by debiting the user tag-card in accordance with the National Highways Fee Rules as
applicable.
(iii) Different toll operators should be able to realize their respective toll and should
have access to the toll collection data;
(iv) Violation in toll collection should be detected;
(v) The cost to users should be low for acceptability by road users to achieve penetration.
(c): As the ETC system envisages amongst other benefits, the automatic toll collection in
accordance with User Fee rates prescribed in the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates
and Collection) Rules, 2008 and accounting through a Central Control database, complaints in
respect of collection mechanism would be addressed appropriately.
(d): Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system is expected to be operationalised by 2012.