New Delhi: The era of waiting at toll plazas—even for FASTag—is officially beginning to end.
As promised by the Union Transport Minister, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has kicked off the pilot phase of the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) toll collection today, January 1, 2026.
If you are driving on the Delhi-Jaipur or Bangalore-Mysore highway today, you might notice something different: The barriers are open, but you are still being charged. Here is how the new “Pay-As-You-Drive” system works.
1. How GNSS Works (The ‘Invisible’ Toll)
- The Tech: Instead of an RFID reader scanning your tag at a specific gate, a GPS tracker (installed in new cars or via a secure OBU device) tracks exactly how many kilometers you travel on the highway.
- The Charge: You are charged only for the distance traveled. If you exit the highway after 10km, you pay for 10km. No more fixed “toll plaza rates.”
- Status Today: The system is live as a Pilot Project on dedicated lanes in 5 key corridors:
- Delhi-Jaipur (NH-48)
- Bangalore-Mysore Expressway
- Jammu-Srinagar (NH-44) – (Selected Stretch)
- Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
- Hyderabad-Vijayawada
2. FASTag is NOT Dead (Yet)
- Hybrid Mode: For now, highways will operate in a Hybrid Mode.
- GNSS Lanes: Marked in Blue. Open only for vehicles with the new Satellite OBU (On-Board Unit).
- FASTag Lanes: Remain operational for the majority of older vehicles.
- Transition: The government aims to make GNSS mandatory for all new cars sold after April 1, 2026.
3. Tata Sierra EV: The Legend Returns in 2026
In other auto news, Tata Motors has dropped a massive teaser today.
- The News: The production-ready version of the iconic Tata Sierra EV has been teased with a “Coming Soon” banner.
- Launch: Industry insiders confirm bookings will likely open on Republic Day (Jan 26).
- Specs: It retains the signature “Alpine Windows” (glass roof at the back) and claims a range of 550km to rival the upcoming Maruti e-Vitara.
FAQs
Not yet. If you have an old car, continue using FASTag. The government is developing a secure GPS sticker (GNSS Tag) that can be pasted on windshields for older cars, likely available by mid-2026.
Actually, they might decrease for short-distance travelers. Currently, if you cross a toll plaza, you pay the full fee even if you travel just 5km. With GPS, you will pay strictly for 5km.
The government assures that the GNSS data is “masked.” It tracks only your presence on the National Highway for toll calculation and does not track your movement within cities or private roads.
Disclaimer
The GNSS system is currently in a Pilot Phase on specific highway lanes. Standard FASTag rules apply elsewhere.
