After the success of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, India is set to introduce its second toll plaza-free expressway. The Dwarka Expressway will soon implement a “Free Flow Tolling” system, meaning vehicles will not need to stop at any toll plazas for payment. Even at speeds of 100 km/h, advanced FASTag scanners and high-powered cameras will read vehicle number plates using overhead gantries.
Benefits of Satellite-Based Tolling System
This 28-kilometer-long expressway will feature a satellite-based toll system, a proposal prepared by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The implementation of this system will improve traffic management and reduce congestion. Several countries worldwide are already using the “Multi-Lane Free-Flow Tolling” system to combat traffic jams.
Delhi-Meerut Expressway Already Has a Gantry-Based System
The Delhi-Meerut Expressway already uses a gantry-based tolling system, though it still has a toll plaza in Meerut. However, the Dwarka Expressway will have no toll plazas at all. NHAI is exploring new methods to collect tolls without requiring drivers to stop. Gantries will be installed at the Delhi-Gurgaon border for tolling purposes, but the exact toll charges have not yet been finalized by NHAI or the Ministry of Road Transport.
Changes in the Vehicle Registration System
NHAI has also requested changes to the vehicle registration system. The “Vahan” portal, which is a digital database of registered vehicles, will help recover tolls from vehicles without FASTag or those with faulty or blacklisted tags. NHAI has proposed adding a section titled “Unpaid User Fee” to the portal, similar to “Unpaid Traffic Challans,” displaying outstanding amounts.
Under the proposal, vehicle owners will not be allowed to transfer registration, obtain an NOC, or get a fitness certificate without clearing any outstanding dues. Owners will have the option to pay the dues or raise objections within seven days of receiving a notice.
Key Features of Dwarka Expressway Free-Flow Tolling:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Toll System | Free Flow Tolling without plazas |
| Vehicle Speed | Tolling possible even at 100 km/h |
| Technology | Advanced FASTag scanners, high-powered cameras |
| Location of Gantries | Delhi-Gurgaon border |
| Changes in Vehicle System | New section for “Unpaid User Fee” in the Vahan portal |
| Consequences of Unpaid Toll | No registration transfer or NOC without payment |
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