New Satellite-based Toll System on Highways Soon - Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that India will soon introduce a satellite-based toll collection system on highways. This system will use GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and GPS technology to charge vehicles based on the distance traveled, eliminating the need for toll plazas.

The toll amount will be deducted directly from the user's bank account, making the process more efficient and reducing travel time. This innovation aims to modernize toll collection and improve the commuter experience on Indian highways.

The satellite-based system is being tested on the Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway (NH-275) in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar National Highway (NH-709) in Haryana.

Once approved, the GNSS toll collection system will be rolled out in phases, initially covering major highways that connect key cities.

NHAI's subsidiary Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) recently organised an international workshop to discuss the rolling out the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based Electronic Toll Collection in India.

The new satellite-based toll system will work by leveraging GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and GPS technology to track the distance traveled by vehicles on highways.

This system will utilize the country’s own satellite navigation systems, namely ISRO-developed GAGAN (GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) and NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). These systems enhance the precision of satellite signals within India and extend coverage beyond its borders.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is overseeing the implementation, and they have invited global companies to develop and implement the GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. This collaborative approach ensures that the technology and infrastructure are robust and efficient.

Below is a breakdown of how the upcoming satellite-based toll collection will function:

1. Vehicle Tracking: Each vehicle will be equipped with a GPS device that communictes with satellites to track its location and movement in real-time.

2. Distance Calculation: The system will calculate the distance traveled by the vehicle on toll roads.

3. Automatic Toll Deduction: Based on the distance traveled, the toll amount will be automatically calculated and deducted from the user's linked bank account or digital wallet.

4. No Toll Plazas: This system eliminates the need for traditional toll plazas, reducing congestion and travel time.

5. Real-Time Monitoring: Authorities will have access to real-time data for monitoring and managing traffic flow more efficiently.

This system aims to streamline toll collection, reduce manual intervention, and enhance the overall efficiency of highway travel.

The introduction of the satellite-based toll system aims to eventually phase out traditional toll plazas. However, this transition will likely happen gradually. Initially, both systems might operate in parallel to ensure a smooth transition and address any potential issues with the new technology.

Phasing out toll plazas completely will depend on the successful implementation and widespread adoption of the satellite-based system. Authorities will need to ensure that all vehicles are equipped with the necessary GPS devices and that the system is reliable and efficient.

NHAI To Develop India’s Largest Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Bengaluru

National Highways Logistics Management Ltd (NHLML), a 100% owned company of NHAI signed an agreement for the development of Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Bengaluru proposed to be developed under the Public Private Partnership (DBFOT) model at an estimated cost of Rs 1,770 crore, the agreement has been signed between Government SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle), Bengaluru MMLP Pvt. Ltd. & Concessionaire SPV M/s. PATH Bengaluru Logistics Park Pvt. Ltd.

The MMLP is being developed in an area of 400 acre at Muddelinganahalli in Bengaluru rural district in Karnataka.

The project is poised to become the first and largest MMLP ever implemented in the country under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, an Indian megaproject worth US$1.2 trillion to provide competitive advantage for manufacturing in India and touted as a project to snotch factories from China.

To facilitate seamless logistics movement, the site is strategically located adjacent to the upcoming KIADB industrial area on East side, abutting the NH 648, Dabbaspet to Hosur as well as Satellite Town Ring Road on North side and Bengaluru – Hubli – Mumbai rail line on South side. Bengaluru MMLP is located at a distance of 58 km from Bengaluru Airport and 48 km from Bengaluru city railway station.

The MMLP will be developed in three phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in two years. MMLP will cater to about 30 million metric tonnes (MMT) cargo by the end of concession period of 45 years and will give huge boost to the industrial zones in the catchment region such as Bengaluru and Tumkur.

A Government SPV is incorporated between National Highways Logistics Management Ltd. (NHLML), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) amd Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB).

Development of MMLP is a key initiative of the Government of India to improve the country's freight logistics sector by enabling efficient inter-modal freight movement to lower overall freight costs and time, provide efficient warehousing, improve tracking and traceability of consignments thereby enhancing the efficiency of the Indian logistics sector.

IIT Hyderabad and NHAI Partner for Cutting-Edge Technologies for Highway Infrastructure Building

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10 different innovative projects to provide long-lasting and sustainable highway infrastructure for smart Indian Highways.

IIT Hyderabad (IITH) is happy to announce that the Institute has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India to establish a ‘Transportation Research and Innovation Hub (TRI HUB), a Centre of Excellence at IIT Hyderabad to work on contemporary and cutting-edge technologies for National Highways in India.

Prof Kiran Kuchi, Dean (R&D), IITH, while signing the MoU, has noted, “This is one of the pioneering initiatives of NHAI to support state-of-the-art research in transportation through a Centre of Excellence.”

Cheering the initiative with IITH, Mr Ajay Sabharwall, GM(Tech), NHAI-New Delhi, and Mr Krishna Prasad, DGM & RO, NHAI-Hyderabad, said, “We are confident in demonstrating new technologies in pavements and bridge infrastructure in partnership with IITH.”

Prof Madhavan, Prof Suriya, Prof Sireesh, Prof Kiran, Mr Ajay & Mr Prasad during MoU Exchange in row -1 (R-L)

Expressing delight on occasion, Prof BS Murty, Director, IITH, has opined, “The new HUB is possibly the first of its kind in an IIT system, will complement the recently inaugurated test bed for the ‘Technology Innovation Hub for Autonomous Navigation and Data Acquisition Systems (TiHAN)’ at the Institute in demonstrating innovative technologies. In addition, it is going to bring a number of innovative technologies in the field of transportation.”

Briefing about the hub, Prof Sireesh Saride, Professor of Civil Engineering and Chair, TRI HUB, said, “We are resolute in achieving the project deliverables in time and demonstrating new technologies and methodologies to build smart and sustainable National Highways. The new methodologies, including geosynthetics, reclaimed materials, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), rebars for bridges and pavements, and retrofitting strategies for aging bridges, among other solutions, are going to provide long-lasting and sustainable highway infrastructure for smart Indian Highways.”

As part of this HUB, Prof Suriya Prakash S, Prof Umashankar B, Prof Mahendra Kumar Madhavan, Dr Munwar Basha, and Dr Anil Agarwal, along with Prof Sireesh S, will work on 10 different innovative projects to deliver the objectives.

NHAI Launches Mobile App to Monitor Trees along National Highways

NHAI launches ‘Harit Path’ a mobile app to monitor plantation along national highways; starts creating user IDs for ROs/PDs/Experts and around 7800 plants geo-tagged so far using App

NHAI Planted 25 Lakh Plants in 25 Days to Mark its Silver Jubilee Year

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has developed a mobile App called ‘Harit Path' to monitor location, growth, species details, maintenance activities, targets and achievements of each of its field units  for each and every plant under all plantation projects.  The app was inaugurated by the Union Minister for RTH Shri Nitin Gadkari today.

According to an NHAI release, to commemorate 25 years of its service to the nation, it has also recently undertaken ‘Harit Bharat Sankalp’, a nation-wide plantation drive which is in line with its commitment to promote environment protection and sustainability. Under this initiative, NHAI planted over 25 lakh plants in 25 days along the stretches of the National Highways between 21st July to 15th August 2020. The drive takes the total cumulative number of plantations done during the current year to 35.22 lakh.

The nation-wide plantation drive has been actively taken up by NHAI’s regional offices to achieve the collective target of making greener national highways. Maximum number of over 5.0 lakh plants have been planted in Uttar Pradesh, followed by over 3.0 lakh in Rajasthan and 2.67 Lakh in Madhya Pradesh along the national highways. In order to ensure 100% survival of the plants, avenue plantation of minimum height of 1.5-meter have been emphasized along the national highway am

The Release says that in order to track the growth and health of the plants, photographs along with data of the plants captured using Harit Path shall be uploaded every 3 months on NHAI’s AI powered Big Data Analytics platform – Data Lake.  Highway contractors shall be accountable for proper upkeep and maintenance of the plantation and liable to replace the missing/dead plants.  Performance and growth of the plants shall be linked to the payment to the contractors for this work.

After launch of the app, NHAI has immediately started work to create user ids of over 150 ROs/ PDs/ Horticulture experts.  Apart from this, around 7800 plants have also been geo-tagged using the toda

NHAI has been undertaking plantation drives from time to time to develop eco-friendly National Highways and has constantly addressed ecological concerns by adopting environment-friendly methods.  In the year 2020, NHAI plans to undertake a sustained plantation drive. The vision is to plant 72 Lakh plants along NH stretches collectively with concessionaire, State Government agencies and private plantation agencies. In addition, NHAI is engaging experts from the plantation, forestry, agriculture, horticulture with vast field experience. Two professionals with suitable background and experience are being engaged for each of its regional offices. For proper supervision of plantation in each project, horticulture experts are also being engaged. Apart from plantation, NHAI is also emphasizing on transplantation of trees which are required to be axed for development of highway projects.

NHAI has identified the NH stretches and is creating a data base of all the plantations already done and to be done on these stretches. The launch of ‘Harit Path’, mobile app will further facilitate creation of Green Highways across the country.