Government is considering introducing satellite based toll tax under which toll points will be removed and drivers will have to pay toll tax only for the distance they travel.
Before the implementation of the code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the government is considering introducing a “satellite based toll tax system” for toll tax. Under which toll blocks will be removed and drivers will have to pay toll tax only for the distance they travel. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari gave this information to the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour.
How will it work?
He told that the government is trying to bring the world’s best technology satellite based toll tax for toll tax. He said that there is an effort to implement this system in the country before the implementation of the code of conduct before the Lok Sabha elections. Gadkari said, “Under this system, toll points will be removed. People will not need to stay anywhere. The photo of the number plate of people’s vehicle will be taken and toll tax will be taken only for that distance from where they enter and exit and this amount will be deducted from the driver’s bank account.
In response to another supplementary question, he said that the average collection from toll booths every day is Rs 49 thousand crore. He said, “The Fast Tag system has been used by 98.5 percent people and 8.13 crore Fast Tags have been issued. Under this, an average toll of Rs 170 to 200 crore is collected every day.
Account given of BOT project
In response to a question related to the BOT project, Gadkari told that when he took over as the Transport Minister. At that time 406 projects worth Rs 3 lakh 85 thousand crore were lying closed. And NPA (non-performing assets) worth Rs 3 lakh crore was lying in banks. He said that a solution was found by calling a meeting of bank representatives and experts under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, “We canceled 20 percent of the projects. It is a great pleasure to say that we saved Indian banks from NPAs worth Rs 3 lakh crore.
‘Build, Operate and Deliver’ (BOT) projects are a model commonly used in public-private partnerships. Gadkari said that he has considered a new system for BOT. He told that an express highway is being built from Pune to Aurangabad which will be prepared through BOT. He said that for this, the four tolls on the existing route will be given to the BOT operator. The operator will work for this by investing his own money. He said that at present there is no problem under the BOT project.
