GPS-Based Toll Collection
in India
Written and checked byRamanathan Virli· Roads & Infrastructure· Updated 2 October 2026
India is moving to barrier-free tolling. Satellite (GNSS) tolling with an on-board unit has been announced and piloted but has no notified date for private vehicles — while barrier-free MLFF plazas that charge your existing FASTag have been opening since May 2026.
Satellite Tracking
GNSS satellites + OBU device track your highway distance
No Toll Plazas
Barrier-free — no stopping, no queues, no delays
Pay Per Km
Distance-based charges — fairer than flat-rate booths
20 Km Free Daily
First 20 km per direction free for GNSS vehicles
How GPS Toll Collection Works
OBU Installed
A small GPS device (On-Board Unit) is installed in your vehicle and linked to your payment account.
Satellite Tracks Distance
As you drive on a tolled highway, GNSS satellites track your entry point, route, and exit point in real time.
Auto Toll Deduction
The NHAI backend calculates distance driven, applies per-km rate, and deducts toll from your linked wallet/bank.
For vehicles without OBU, ANPR cameras capture the number plate and generate an invoice.
First 20 Km Free — Every Day
Under the revised National Highways Fee Rules (September 2024), GNSS-equipped vehicles get zero toll for the first 20 km per direction, once per day. This is a huge relief for people living near highways who use them for short daily commutes to work, school, or markets.
Beyond 20 km, toll is charged for the entire distance including the initial 20 km.
FASTag vs GPS Toll — Quick Comparison
| Feature | FASTag (Current) | GPS Toll (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | RFID tag at toll booth | GNSS satellite + OBU device |
| Toll Calculation | Flat rate per plaza | Per km distance-based |
| Stopping | Slow down at toll lane | No stopping at all |
| 20 km Free | No | Yes — per direction per day |
| Device Cost | ₹100 fee + ₹200 deposit (NPCI, cars) | Not announced yet |
| Toll Evasion | Possible (damaged tag, tailgating) | Very difficult (satellite tracking) |
| Infrastructure | Toll plazas + barriers | Satellites + ANPR cameras |
| Fuel Savings | Minimal | ₹1,500 crore/year (est.) |
OBU Device — What You Need to Know
Cost
Not announced
Where to Get
Not announced
Mandatory for private cars?
No mandate notified
Needed at MLFF plazas?
No — they use FASTag
Pilots and Barrier-Free Plazas
GNSS pilot stretches, and the first barrier-free MLFF plazas that run on FASTag:
Bengaluru – Mysuru
Karnataka
Panipat – Hisar
Haryana
Chorayasi plaza (Surat – Bharuch)
Gujarat · 1 May 2026
Mundka – Bakkarwala plaza
Delhi · 11 May 2026
Daulatpura plaza (Delhi – Jaipur)
Rajasthan · 19 June 2026
Gharaunda plaza (Panipat – Jalandhar)
Haryana · 25 June 2026
Manoharpura plaza (Delhi – Jaipur)
Rajasthan · 1 July 2026
Shahjahanpur plaza (Delhi – Jaipur)
Rajasthan · 1 Aug 2026
Paranur plaza (Tambaram – Tindivanam)
Tamil Nadu · 1 Oct 2026
Rollout Timeline
Sept 2024
National Highways Fee Rules revised to include GNSS tolling
Early 2025
GNSS pilot on Bengaluru–Mysuru & Panipat–Hisar highways
Apr 2025
MoRTH clarifies there is no decision on a nationwide satellite tolling launch from 1 May 2025
Aug 2025
FASTag Annual Pass launched for private cars — ₹3,000 for 200 crossings or one year
Dec 2025
Gadkari tells the Rajya Sabha (17 Dec) satellite-based tolling will be nationwide by end-2026
Mar 2026
Annual Pass fee revised to ₹3,075 for FY 2026–27
Apr 2026
NH fee plazas go digital-only — user fee collected through FASTag or UPI only, cash no longer accepted (from 10 April 2026)
May 2026
India's first barrier-free MLFF plaza (FASTag + ANPR) opens at Chorayasi, NH-48, Gujarat (1 May); Mundka–Bakkarwala, Delhi follows (11 May)
Jun 2026
MLFF at Daulatpura, Delhi–Jaipur section of NH-48, Rajasthan (19 June)
Aug–Oct 2026
MLFF at Shahjahanpur, NH-48 (1 Aug) makes Manesar–Jaipur barrier-free; Tamil Nadu's first MLFF plaza at Paranur, NH-179B (1 Oct)
2026 onward
MLFF extended to more plazas; Gadkari (Sept 2026) targets barrier-free tolling across the network within a year
Not yet notified
OBU-based GNSS tolling for private vehicles / decommissioning of toll plazas
Why GPS Toll Is Better
Zero Wait Time
No queues, no barriers — drive through at full speed
Fair Pricing
Pay for actual km driven, not flat booth rate
20 Km Free
Daily free allowance for short highway trips
₹1,500 Cr Fuel Saved
No idling at toll queues saves fuel nationally
₹6,000 Cr Revenue
Reduced evasion means more highway funds
Lower Emissions
Less idling = less pollution at toll areas
Minister's Statement
Satellite-based toll collection will be operational across the country by the end of 2026, saving fuel worth ₹1,500 crore and adding ₹6,000 crore to government revenue.
— Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Rajya Sabha, 17 December 2025 (as reported). In September 2026 he described the aim as barrier-free tolling across the highway network within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions About GPS Toll
What is GPS-based toll collection?
When will GPS toll start in India?
What is the FASTag Annual Pass?
Is the first 20 km free?
Will FASTag be discontinued?
How much does the OBU device cost?
What if my vehicle doesn't have an OBU?
Is GPS toll cheaper than FASTag?
Which highways have GPS toll pilot?
What is MLFF tolling?
Related Guides
Complete GPS Toll Guide
Deep dive into GNSS toll — technology, rules, OBU, and penalties
FASTag vs GPS Toll
Detailed comparison — what changes for Indian drivers
FASTag Annual Pass
₹3,075 for 200 highway crossings — eligibility, rules and calculator
OBU Installation Guide
How to get, install, and register the GPS toll device
Lane Types in India
All types of highway lanes and lane discipline rules
Highway Speed Limits
Speed limits for cars, bikes, trucks on Indian highways
Fine Calculator
Calculate your traffic fine amount by violation and state
Check Challan Online
Check and pay pending traffic challans by vehicle number
Mandatory Documents
All documents you must carry while driving in India
Road Signs Guide
All road signs in India with meanings and rules
Stay Updated on GPS Toll
The GNSS toll system is rolling out in phases. Bookmark this page for the latest updates on OBU availability, pilot highways, and launch dates.