Lok Sabha Question No. 4775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-21
Subject: Modernisation of Toll Collection System
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  steps  taken  to  expand  and  modernise  the  National  Highways (NHs) toll collection system including the operational status and impact of FASTag implementation on congestion and revenue mobilization;
- (b)  the  measures  being  implemented  to  improve  connectivity  and  road infrastructure  in  the  North  Eastern  Region  and  other  remote  areas  to support regional development and strategic priorities; and
- (c)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  assesses  the  socio-economic impact  of  large-scale  highway  projects  on  local  communities  and  the rehabilitation  and  livelihood  support  measures  in  place  for  projectaffected persons?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  Presently,   98%  of  all  user  fee  payments  other  than  exempted vehicles on National Highways and Expressways are executed through FASTags.  Subsequent  to  mandatory  implementation  of  FASTag  at  all lanes on 16th February, 2021 (00:00 hrs), an Impact Assessment  Study on  the  FASTag  System  was  undertaken  by  the  National  Highways Authority  of  India  (NHAI).  The  findings  of  the  above  study  show  a significant  reduction  in  average  waiting  time  at  fee  plazas  from  734 seconds under the manual fee collection system to 47 seconds under the

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4775 ANSWERED ON 21 ST  AUGUST, 2025

## MODERNISATION OF TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM

4775. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. Further, congestion on fee plaza is also monitored  through  a GIS-based  toll congestion  monitoring solution.

In addition, to further increase the efficiency of tolling operation and in order  to  ensure  seamless  and  free-flow  movement  of  vehicles  along national  highways,  the  Government  has  decided  to  implement  barrierfree  Electronic  Toll  Collection  (ETC)  System  using  Automatic  Number Plate Recognition Cameras on selected sections of National Highways as an added facility along with FASTag where the user fee shall be charged from the vehicle users without them having to stop, slow down or stay in a given fee plaza lane.

- (b) The Government is implementing comprehensive strategy to enhance connectivity  and  road  infrastructure  in  the  North  Eastern  region  and other  remote  areas.  This  includes  development  of  strategic  corridors, inter-corridor  links,  and  border  roads  apart  from  High-Speed  Corridors and other National Highways in the North-Eastern region.

The  projects  focus  on  upgrading  single  or  intermediate  lane  road, integrating them with national and regional corridors, and improving lastmile connectivity to remote settlements. These initiatives are aimed at reducing logistics costs, ensuring all-weather access, boosting trade and tourism,  enhancing  socio-economic  opportunities,  and  strengthening national  security  in  strategically  important  areas,  thereby  supporting regional development and strategic priorities.

- (c) The socio-economic impact of large-scale highway projects implemented  by  the  Government  is  assessed  through  social  impact assessments (SIA) and environmental and social impact studies conducted  during  the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage.  These assessments evaluate potential impacts on livelihoods, land use, access to services, and the overall economic profile of affected communities.

For project-affected persons (PAPs), rehabilitation and livelihood support measures  are  implemented  in  accordance  with  the  Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement  Act,  2013  (RFCTLARR  Act).  Implementing  agencies  also undertake regular consultations with stakeholders to ensure that resettlement action plans address local needs and that grievances are resolved promptly.

Further, the preliminary findings of a study conducted by IIM, Bangalore to  evaluate  the  impact  of  National  Highways  indicates  positive  effects across multiple sectors. Economically, household income and expenditure  have  increased.  Logistics  efficiency  has  improved  with reduced costs. Businesses have benefited from better access to markets and  factories.  Socially,  travel  time  to  schools  and  healthcare  facilities has decreased, enhancing accessibility. Overall, the study suggests that National  Highway  construction  has  significantly  contributed  to  socioeconomic growth.

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