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The long-standing tradition of slowing down, searching for a FASTag scanner, and idling in a queue is officially entering its final days. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has established a strict deadline of March 31, 2026, in a historic announcement released today, January 29, 2026. All of the physical toll booths on the famous Delhi-Mumbai Motorway will be closed by this date.
This is a full-scale switch to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) tolling, not a localised pilot or trial run. The move represents a change from “stop-and-go” to a smooth, barrier-free experience for the millions of people that travel this high-speed route at speeds of up to 120 km/h.
Table of Contents
The GNSS Revolution: How It Works
Unlike the RFID-based FASTag system, which requires a physical scanner at a specific gate, GNSS tolling employs satellite tracking to track your vehicle’s whereabouts. Your vehicle turns into its own “moving toll booth.” The system uses India’s NavIC satellite constellation to determine exactly where you enter and depart the expressway.
With this “virtual gantry” technology, the system calculates your coordinates in real time while you drive. There are no physical obstacles to overcome, and no lanes to choose. Simply drive, and the technology will do the rest.
The “Pay-As-You-Drive” Model
One of the most significant changes for commuters is the shift to distance-based charging. Under the previous arrangement, consumers were often charged a set rate for a certain stretch, even if they left halfway through. With the GNSS mandate, you are only charged for the actual number of kilometers traveled.
The 20km Rule: The notification indicates that private vehicles equipped with functional On-Board Units (OBUs) can travel up to 20 kilometers in either direction without paying a toll.
Hardware Requirements: The OBU
To participate in this new era, vehicles must be equipped with a GNSS On-Board Unit. While newer vehicles are likely to have them pre-installed, current owners will need to refit their vehicles with these devices. These units are integrated into the existing FASTag environment for payment processing, serving as a link between satellite tracking and your digital wallet.
The Ministry has clarified that for a transitional period, the system will remain hybrid. However, from March 31, vehicles that access the expressway without a valid OBU may incur a penalty—specifically, a price equal to two times the usual toll rate.
Faster Logistics and Fuel Savings
For the logistics industry, this is a game changer. The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway serves as the backbone of India’s freight corridor. The government hopes to save roughly 1,500 crore in fuel expenditures by reducing physical bottlenecks at toll plazas each year. Reduced idling time means lower carbon emissions and much shorter turnaround times for commercial trucks.
Enforcement and Compliance
The transition isn’t just about convenience; it’s about tightening the net on toll evasion. The new guidelines establish a clear link between toll compliance and car services. Under the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, owners who have not paid their tolls will be unable to transfer car ownership, receive a fitness certificate, or renew national permits.
Preparing for the Switch
With only a few months until the physical obstacles are removed, the focus has shifted to the vast deployment of OBUs. The Ministry is likely to identify authorized centers for gadget installation soon. The message to the average passenger is clear: the era of the “toll booth” has ended, and the era of the “intelligent highway” has begun.
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