Patna: The Bihar government is set to begin collecting toll tax from commercial vehicles on select state highways this month, marking the first such initiative on roads maintained by the state.
The Road Construction Department (RCD) has accelerated preparations for the rollout, with AI-powered Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and FASTag-based toll collection forming the backbone of the new system.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary had earlier announced that toll tax would be levied only on commercial vehicles, while private vehicles will remain exempt.
AI cameras to curb toll fraud
To ensure transparency and prevent revenue leakage, toll plazas will be equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
The AI-based system will automatically scan vehicle number plates and identify whether a vehicle is registered as private or commercial before toll charges are applied.
Officials said the move is aimed at preventing cases where commercial vehicle owners allegedly change yellow commercial number plates to white plates to evade toll payments.
FASTag to be used for toll payments
The state will adopt the FASTag system, similar to the mechanism used on national highways.
The Road Construction Department is holding discussions with the agency managing FASTag under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to integrate the system for Bihar’s state highways.
First toll plaza on Ara–Chhapra Bridge
Construction of toll plazas has already begun on selected state highways and bridges developed by the Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation.
According to officials, the first toll plaza will be established on the Ara–Chhapra Bridge, with several other state highways also identified for phased implementation.
Before finalising the rollout, the department conducted traffic volume surveys on major state highways using camera-based monitoring.
Cabinet approves toll rates
Officials said the Bihar Cabinet has already approved toll rates for different categories of commercial vehicles.
The Road Construction Department has also been authorised to decide which state highways and bridges will be brought under the toll network.
Ganga Path remains toll-free
The government has clarified that Patna’s Ganga Path will not be brought under the toll regime.
Although toll collection on the expressway had been considered earlier, the state has now decided to keep the corridor free of toll charges.
