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Road Transport Ministry Plans Annual and Lifetime Passes for Private Cars

annual pass
The Road Transport Ministry is set to introduce annual and lifetime toll passes for private cars, enabling unlimited travel on National Highways (NHs) through a one-time payment. Despite comprising 60% of NH traffic, private cars contribute only 20–26% of toll revenue, with 74% coming from commercial vehicles. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the plan at a workshop on “Barrierless Tolling in India,” emphasising that the initiative aims to provide commuters relief without impacting revenue while streamlining toll collection.
The ministry is finalizing details, including pricing and the duration defined as “lifetime,” with a focus on addressing private toll operators’ concerns. Concurrently, plans are underway to implement a GNSS-based toll collection system, replacing traditional methods. This system will enable barrierless tolling, charging users based on kilometres travelled, improving traffic flow, and reducing delays. The approach is expected to enhance efficiency and user satisfaction across NHs.
A thought paper by Primus Partners and Think Infra highlights the environmental benefits of GNSS-based tolling, predicting a 20-30% reduction in travel time, annual carbon emission cuts of 50 lakh tonnes, and fuel cost savings of ₹12,000 crore. Gadkari stressed the importance of strict measures to prevent revenue leakage while ensuring optimal service for commuters.

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