Patna: Travelling on national highways in Bihar could soon become easier, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) preparing to introduce a new technology-based toll collection system. Under the proposed arrangement, vehicles may no longer need to stop at conventional toll plazas for toll payment.
The new system is expected to be introduced on a trial basis at selected toll locations along National Highway 31 (NH-31) in Bihar. It will use overhead structures, sensors and high-speed cameras to identify vehicles and calculate toll charges based on the distance travelled on the highway.
The initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion, eliminate long queues at toll plazas and make highway travel smoother for commuters.
How Will the New Toll Collection System Work?
Under the proposed system, overhead gantry structures will be installed at designated locations along the highway. These structures will be equipped with sensors and high-speed cameras to monitor passing vehicles.
The cameras will scan vehicle registration plates, while Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology will identify individual vehicles.
The system will then calculate the toll amount based on the distance covered by a vehicle on the national highway. The applicable amount will be automatically deducted through the linked payment mechanism.
This means motorists may not have to stop or significantly reduce their speed to pay toll charges at conventional booths.
What Has NHAI Said About the New Plan?
Manish Kumar, Project Director of NHAI Bhagalpur, said work was underway on the plan to move towards a new toll collection arrangement.
According to him, the proposed system will use vehicle-linked GPS technology and a payment mechanism connected to the driver’s bank account to calculate toll charges according to the distance travelled.
FASTag technology will also be used as part of the proposed arrangement.
The system is intended to automate toll collection and reduce dependence on conventional toll booths.
Bihar’s NH-31 to Be the First Testing Ground
Bihar’s NH-31 has been identified for the initial trial of the proposed technology at selected toll locations.
The trial will help assess how effectively the system identifies vehicles, tracks their movement and calculates toll charges.
If implemented successfully, the technology could offer relief to motorists who regularly face congestion at toll plazas.
Purnia, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and Araria Could Benefit
Several national highways across Bihar experience heavy traffic, particularly around toll plazas in districts such as Purnia, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and Araria.
Motorists often face long queues, even when their vehicles are equipped with FASTag, due to heavy traffic and delays in scanning.
The proposed barrier-free system could reduce such delays by enabling automatic vehicle identification and toll collection without requiring vehicles to stop at physical booths.
Sarvabhaumik Sarkar, Manager of Purnia Toll Plaza, said a trial of the sensor-based challan system had been conducted. NHAI is now preparing to take forward the new toll collection arrangement based on this technology.
Will FASTag Be Replaced?
The proposed system is expected to use FASTag alongside other technologies, including vehicle identification and GPS-based distance tracking.
However, the precise implementation mechanism, payment procedures and operational details will become clearer as the trial progresses.
For now, the proposed NH-31 trial marks an important step towards technology-driven toll collection in Bihar. If successful, the system could change the way motorists pay toll charges and travel on national highways.
