Following Operation Sindoor, the government does not want any foreign satellites, such as the US GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, Europe’s Galileo, or China’s Beidou, to be used for the satellite toll system. Therefore, the satellite toll system has been put on hold for the time being, citing public safety and privacy as key concerns.
New Delhi: The plan to launch a satellite toll system has been shelved for the time being. Sources cite several reasons, including public safety and privacy. Following Operation Sindoor, the government does not want to use any foreign satellites, such as American GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, Europe’s Galileo, or China’s Beidou.
Sources say that the project to launch satellite tolls in the country has not been halted; it has simply been postponed for a few months or years. The government wants to use only the indigenous Indian satellite, NavIC, for this purpose. However, NavIC is not yet fully ready to launch this system. Technical teams from various relevant ministries are working on this. Following Operation Sindoor, a serious challenge is being considered regarding the real-time location of vehicles. The real-time location of any vehicle on the road can be obtained from satellites. This is considered a serious threat to the privacy of the occupants.
Work on a Barrier-Free Toll System Begins
Sources say that the launch of this GNSS-based toll system has been postponed until further notice. In the meantime, efforts are underway with relevant ministries and experts to determine how to safely implement the system. Furthermore, trials were conducted on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway. Meanwhile, the NHAI is working on implementing a barrier-free, multi-lane, free-flow toll system nationwide. The first tender for this has been issued for Choryasi in Gujarat. This will allow vehicles to be collected without stopping.
