New Delhi: India’s formidable plan to launch a satellite-based toll system has been postponed indefinitely. Authorities sources say considerations over privateness and safety have taken centre stage. The delay displays a broader reluctance to rely on overseas satellite tv for pc navigation networks such because the American GPS, Russia’s GLONASS, Europe’s Galileo or China’s BeiDou.
Officers point out the transfer comes within the wake of Operation Sindoor, which uncovered potential vulnerabilities in car monitoring and real-time location monitoring.
Sources accustomed to the mission verify that the satellite tv for pc toll initiative has not been scrapped. It has solely been deferred for just a few months or years. The federal government insists that solely a completely indigenous Indian satellite tv for pc navigation system ought to energy the programme.
At current, the home navigation community, NavIC, is just not absolutely outfitted to deal with nationwide toll assortment. Technical groups throughout a number of ministries are working to prepared NavIC for operational deployment.
One of many main challenges arises from the power of satellites to seize the real-time location of autos on Indian roads. Officers say the system might doubtlessly compromise the privateness of people travelling in vehicles, which has change into a key concern in gentle of heightened nationwide safety sensitivities.
Barrier-Free Toll System Below Growth
Whereas the GNSS-based toll system waits in limbo, work continues behind the scenes to make sure protected implementation. Authorities and technical consultants are exploring measures to guard the privateness of residents whereas sustaining effectivity in toll assortment.
Early trials on the Delhi-Jaipur freeway provided proof of idea however highlighted the significance of addressing safety and public privateness earlier than a nationwide rollout.
In the meantime, the Nationwide Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun implementing barrier-free, multi-lane and free-flow toll programs within the nation. The primary tender for such a system has been issued for Choriyasi in Gujarat.
This know-how will permit toll assortment from autos with out requiring them to cease, making certain clean site visitors movement whereas bettering income assortment.
Officers emphasise that these trials will function stepping stones towards a completely useful satellite-based toll system as soon as the NavIC community is prepared.
The delay highlights India’s rising emphasis on self-reliance and home technological capabilities. By avoiding reliance on overseas satellite tv for pc networks, the federal government goals to safe each nationwide infrastructure and citizen privateness.
Within the coming months, technical groups will proceed testing and refining programs to make sure the satellite tv for pc toll programmes may be launched safely and effectively, aligning with India’s imaginative and prescient of contemporary, safe and autonomous transportation administration.