FASTag-Based Toll Collection Planned for State Highways and Major Bridges

To ease the financial burden on the state treasury and generate sustainable revenue for infrastructure upkeep, the Bihar government is moving forward with a comprehensive plan to collect toll tax from commercial vehicles traversing state highways and major bridges exceeding 250 meters in length. Emulating successful governance frameworks from other states, a specialized engineering delegation is set to study Rajasthan’s low-cost, FASTag-based electronic toll collection model to implement a similar system across Bihar.Bihar Delegation to Study Rajasthan’s Toll FrameworkIn line with official orders issued by the Under Secretary of the Road Construction Department following competent administrative approval, a four-member technical team has been constituted to visit Rajasthan:Expert Team Members: The delegation comprises Deputy Chief Engineer Sanjay Kumar Singh (Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation), Assistant Engineer Amitesh Kumar, Assistant Engineer Jagjit Kumar (Road Construction Department), and Technical Manager Mayank Raj (Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited).Scope of Study: The team will inspect operational toll plazas in Rajasthan to understand end-to-end mechanics, including FASTag integration, rate determination structures, automated revenue accounting, and operational management.Roadmap for Bihar: Upon returning from their field study, the engineers will submit a detailed report to the department, serving as the blueprint for drafting Bihar's new commercial vehicle toll policy. Initial implementation discussions target key routes, including State Highways 74 and 86 in Muzaffarpur, alongside major regional infrastructure like the Pilkhi Bridge, the Bangra Ghat Bridge in Sahebganj, and the Raghai Ghat Bridge in Minapur.Reducing Pressure on the Government TreasuryHistorically, billions of rupees are funneled annually from the state treasury into the construction and continuous maintenance of state highways and major bridges. Implementing a systematic toll collection mechanism aims to change this dynamic:Self-Sustaining Infrastructure: Revenues generated directly from commercial toll collections will be earmarked for routine road repairs, pothole maintenance, and funding new bridge projects, thereby preserving high-speed transit quality.The Low-Cost Advantage: Authorities selected Rajasthan’s model because it avoids the construction of expensive, sprawling toll plazas. Instead, compact, low-cost electronic plazas leverage FASTag technology to deduct fees seamlessly, effectively preventing highway bottlenecks, reducing vehicle idle time, and curbing fuel wastage.