For Prelims: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), FASTag, Pay-as-you-travel
For Mains: Barrier-free tolling, Intelligent Transport System (ITS), User-charge principle, Infrastructure efficiency
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- NHAI is piloting a barrier-free toll system on NH-31 in Bihar.
- The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.
- Toll is deducted based on distance traveled from a GPS-linked FASTag account.
- Vehicles do not need to stop at toll plazas under the new system.
- The pilot aims to reduce congestion at toll plazas in Bihar towns.
Why in the news?
NHAI is piloting a new barrier-free toll collection system on Bihar's NH-31 using gantry-mounted sensors and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). This 'pay-as-you-travel' system will deduct toll based on distance traveled via GPS-linked FASTag accounts, eliminating queues at toll plazas.
Summary
- NHAI will pilot a barrier-free tolling system on NH-31 in Bihar using gantry poles, overhead sensors, and ANPR cameras.
- The system deducts toll based on distance traveled ('pay-as-you-travel') via a GPS-linked FASTag account, without vehicles needing to stop.
- The move aims to eliminate congestion at toll plazas across Bihar, notably at Purnia, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, and Araria.
Background
Toll plazas on National Highways cause significant delays and fuel waste due to vehicle queues. Even with FASTag, congestion occurs due to slow scanners or high traffic volume. NHAI is now moving toward a barrier-free system to improve travel time and reduce emissions.
Key Analysis and Impact
The new system uses ANPR and GPS technology. Gantry poles with high-speed cameras scan vehicle number plates without requiring the vehicle to slow down. The toll is calculated based on distance traveled, deducted from a GPS-linked FASTag account. This 'pay-as-you-travel' model aligns with user-charge principles and could reduce corruption and leakage.
Way Forward
A successful pilot on NH-31 in Bihar could lead to nationwide rollout. The system requires robust GPS infrastructure, backend integration with banks, and a legal framework for enforcement. Non-compliance will attract action. This is part of a broader shift toward intelligent transport systems (ITS) on Indian highways.
Current vs New Toll System
| Feature | Current System (FASTag) | New System (Pilot) |
|---|---|---|
| Stopping needed | Yes, at plaza | No, drive through |
| Toll basis | Fixed fee per plaza | Distance traveled |
| Technology | RFID (FASTag) | ANPR + GPS-linked FASTag |
| Congestion | Often heavy queues | Barrier-free, minimal |
Bihar connection
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
- An autonomous agency under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways in India.
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
- A technology that uses optical character recognition (OCR) on images captured by cameras to read vehicle registration plates, enabling automated toll collection and traffic enforcement.
- FASTag
- An electronic toll collection system in India using Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. It is affixed to a vehicle's windscreen and allows automatic deduction of toll when passing through a FASTag lane.
- Pay-as-you-travel
- A tolling principle where the user is charged based on the exact distance traveled on the highway, rather than a fixed fee at entry/exit points.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Pilot on NH-31 in Bihar
- Technology: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Common mistake:
Examiners may confuse ANPR with FASTag or GPS. FASTag uses RFID and requires a reader at the plaza; ANPR uses cameras and works at highway speeds. The new system combines ANPR with GPS-linked FASTag accounts for distance-based deduction.
Write these in mains answers
- Barrier-free tolling, Intelligent Transport System (ITS), User-charge principle, Infrastructure efficiency
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Currently, vehicles have to stop at toll plazas to pay, causing long queues. The new system uses cameras on poles over the highway to read your car's number plate. It then automatically deducts the toll for the distance you traveled from your bank account linked to your FASTag, so you drive through without stopping.
- Economy: Infrastructure: Roads and Highways
- Science and Technology: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
Related concepts: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), FASTag, Pay-as-you-travel
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which body is responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways in India?
Explanation: NHAI is the autonomous agency under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways responsible for National Highway development. The Ministry of Railways handles railways, not roads. The Indian Road Congress is a technical body, not an implementing authority. Urban Development deals with cities, not highways.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the new toll collection system being piloted in Bihar:
- 1.The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras mounted on gantry poles.
- 2.Vehicles must stop at the toll plaza for the system to work.
- 3.Toll is deducted based on distance traveled, from a GPS-linked FASTag account.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the system uses ANPR cameras on gantry poles. Statement 2 is incorrect: the system is designed to work without vehicles stopping. Statement 3 is correct: toll is based on distance traveled and deducted from a GPS-linked FASTag account. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
On which National Highway in Bihar is the pilot of the new barrier-free toll system being conducted?
Explanation: The pilot is being conducted on NH-31 in Bihar. Under the old highway numbering, NH-1 connected Delhi to Amritsar and NH-2 connected Delhi to Kolkata; the present NH-44 runs from Srinagar to Kanyakumari. NH-31 runs through Bihar, making it the correct answer.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the new barrier-free toll collection system being piloted by NHAI?
Explanation: The core aim is to eliminate long vehicle queues at toll plazas, saving time and fuel. While it uses GPS-linked accounts, it does not replace FASTag entirely; it enhances it. Revenue increase is not the stated goal; the focus is on efficiency.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the new toll system being piloted by NHAI in Bihar?
It is a barrier-free toll collection system using ANPR cameras on gantry poles and GPS-linked FASTag accounts to deduct toll based on distance traveled.
2. Where is the pilot of the new toll system being conducted?
The pilot is being conducted on National Highway 31 (NH-31) in Bihar.
3. How does the new system deduct toll without stopping vehicles?
High-speed cameras mounted on gantry poles scan the vehicle's number plate using ANPR technology, and toll is deducted from a GPS-linked FASTag account.
4. What is the 'pay-as-you-travel' principle?
It means toll is calculated based on the exact distance a vehicle travels on the highway, rather than a fixed fee at entry or exit points.
All sources
- Original5 November 2026 · Read story
