Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 18 national highway projects in Rajasthan.
22 new projects worth 50 thousand crores announced.
New Delhi, 24 December: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday made it clear that the government will stop charging tolls, in order to make India ‘toll booth free’ in the next two years.
He said that GPS will be installed in vehicles, with the help of which toll amount will be deducted directly from the bank account on the basis of movement.
Union Minister Gadkari was inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 1827 km of National Highway projects in Rajasthan costing Rs 8500 crore through video conferencing today.
During this, he announced today 22 projects totalling 50 thousand crores out of the projects planned under construction in the state and assured to start work on these projects soon.
Gadkari said that the government has prepared a plan to abolish toll booths. Not having toll booths will allow uninterrupted traffic on the road, but this does not mean that the toll will be cancelled as many have interpreted.
Describing toll as mandatory for road construction, he said that it would not be possible to construct roads worth thousands of crores.
It is notable that Gadkari said in an event last week that the government has finalized the toll collection of GPS-based (Global Positioning System) technology to ensure uninterrupted movement of vehicles across the country. Some people started spreading the illusion that the government would no longer charge tolls from vehicles.
Gadkari said that now all commercial vehicles are coming with vehicle tracking system (GPS). The government will also come up with some plans to introduce this technology in older vehicles. In such a situation, the toll amount will be deducted directly from the consumer’s bank account with the help of electronic system after estimating the distance of entry and exit on the road with the help of GPS in the vehicles.
He said that vehicles would not face barriers and other obstacles due to the end of toll booths on the road. Clashes at the toll booths will also get relief and petrol and diesel will also be saved.
22 new projects announced today worth 50 thousand crores
Kishangarh to Hanumangarh 430 km, Darah-Jhalawad-elevated route 10 km, Phalodi to Khatu 220 km, Sirsa to Churu 143 km, Dausa to Dudu 137 km, Shahpur to Alwar 87 km, Ras to Mandal 135 km, Charbhuja to 140 km , Sangria 75 km from Kechia, Barmer bypass 22 km, Satyur to Dhanora 12 km and Alwar to Nohun 40 km. Gadkari said that these 22 projects are about 3000 km. These will cost 50 thousand crores. The government wants to start this project next year.
