Electronic Toll Collection system to be launched on Oct 31

The Government of India will launch an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system on highways on October 31, 2014.

55 toll plazas have been equipped with ETC on the Delhi - Mumbai route which goes through Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Their integration with Central Clearing House (CCH) operators has almost been completed. A pilot project for Interoperable ETC system of 10 toll plazas between Mumbai (Charoti) and Ahmadabad has already been tested and seamless ETC on this section is successfully in operation.

The government has also issued orders to incorporate ETC lanes as a mandatory clause in the contracts awarded for all the highways projects in future. There is a proposal by the road transport ministry to penalize commuters who enter tag lanes without their vehicles having tags so that others don't face congestion while crossing plazas. Those found guilty of holding up ETC users may be asked to pay five times of the present toll.

Indian Highways Management Company Limited, a newly formed company will implement ETC in the country. The company's objectives include collection of toll through ETC and to manage the project and commercially provide services of central ETC system.

The Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 has been amended to accommodate the fitment of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on vehicles for ETC.

Source: Economic Times