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Your Car Number Will Be Scanned For Automatic Toll Collection. Do You Still Need FASTag?

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Your Car Number Will Be Scanned For Automatic Toll Collection. Do You Still Need FASTag?


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Automatic toll collection via cameras and ANPR starts in March; FASTag will still be needed for payments on expressways and national highways

India has more than 1,000 toll plazas, many of which witness long queues of vehicles. (PTI)

India has more than 1,000 toll plazas, many of which witness long queues of vehicles. (PTI)

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is preparing to introduce automatic toll collection for vehicles travelling on expressways and national highways, a move that could begin on select stretches as early as March 2026. Under the proposed system, cameras will scan vehicle number plates and toll charges will be deducted from the driver’s account based on the distance travelled.

At present, toll is collected on nearly 45,000 kilometres of the country’s 1.5 lakh kilometre national highway and expressway network. India has more than 1,000 toll plazas, many of which witness long queues of vehicles, particularly when cars do not have FASTag or when their FASTag accounts are inactive or blocked. These delays often increase waiting time for commuters.

According to the ministry, the new plan involves removing physical toll barriers and introducing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology for toll collection. Cameras installed along highways will read vehicle number plates and calculate the charges automatically. Tenders for implementing this technology have already been issued at some locations, and the system is expected to be gradually expanded across the country.

Despite the introduction of camera-based toll collection, FASTag will continue to remain in use. Officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have clarified that even after the new system is introduced, drivers will still need FASTag, as toll charges will continue to be deducted through the existing payment mechanism.

Since many FASTag accounts are linked to digital wallets rather than directly to bank accounts, the current deduction process will remain in place alongside the new technology.

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Netflix and Paramount battle for Warner Bros. Who is likely to win?

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Netflix and Paramount battle for Warner Bros. Who is likely to win?


Warner Bros, which traces its roots back about a century, has a vast library of content, ranging from classics like Looney Tunes and Casablanca to Friends, Superman and Harry Potter. Its HBO division is known for “prestige” television, including The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Succession.



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Gold vs Silver: Where Are The Smart Investors Heading In 2026?

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Gold vs Silver: Where Are The Smart Investors Heading In 2026?


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Since the start of 2026, substantial funds have moved out of silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs), while gold ETFs have remained relatively stable

So far this year, gold has climbed around 15%, while silver's gains have remained limited to about 10%

So far this year, gold has climbed around 15%, while silver’s gains have remained limited to about 10%

A noticeable shift is unfolding in the precious metals market in 2026, as investor attention moves away from silver’s high-volatility rally towards the relative stability of gold. After capturing strong interest last year with an exceptional surge, silver’s momentum is now showing signs of slowing, while gold, often dismissed by some prominent investors as a “useless asset”, has re-emerged as a preferred choice amid growing uncertainty.

Silver recorded a remarkable run in 2025, rising nearly 170% and attracting significant investor enthusiasm. The metal continued to perform strongly in the early months of 2026, but that pace has gradually eased. So far this year, gold has climbed around 15%, while silver’s gains have remained limited to about 10%, reflecting a clear change in market direction.

Market experts believe the shift is less about utility and more about investor psychology. Silver continues to have strong industrial demand, being widely used in electronics, medical equipment, water purification systems and other sectors. Gold, in contrast, has relatively limited practical applications. However, during periods of global uncertainty, investors tend to gravitate towards assets perceived as safe, and gold continues to hold that status.

The rapid price movements in silver have also become a point of concern. Analysts say that silver has turned significantly more volatile, with frequent daily swings making investors cautious. As a result, experts are advising a more selective and disciplined approach to investing in the metal. Gold, on the other hand, has remained comparatively stable, strengthening its appeal among those seeking security over aggressive returns.

For investors weighing their options, market watchers suggest gold may be the more suitable choice for the majority, given its stability and consistent demand. Silver, they note, is better suited to those who can tolerate sharp fluctuations. Many analysts believe silver has already priced in much of the positive news, while gold may still have room for further growth.

Central bank activity is also playing a crucial role in supporting gold’s strength. China’s central bank, along with several others, has been steadily increasing its gold purchases over recent months, signalling sustained official demand. Experts believe this long-term accumulation strategy will continue to provide a strong foundation for gold prices.

Investment trends are reinforcing the same narrative. Since the start of 2026, substantial funds have moved out of silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs), while gold ETFs have remained relatively stable. The gold-silver ratio has also declined, indicating that silver’s outsized gains may have largely run their course. On the technical front, silver is currently trading below key levels, suggesting short-term pressure, even though its long-term outlook remains positive. Gold, meanwhile, after a brief correction, is holding firm at a strong support zone, leading analysts to expect the possibility of another rally.

Global macroeconomic and geopolitical factors are further shaping the trend. Developments such as US-Iran diplomatic talks, expectations of interest rate cuts and the persistence of negative real interest rates are all contributing to stronger demand for gold. In addition, central banks across the world are continuing to diversify their reserves, adding to the metal’s appeal.

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News business Gold vs Silver: Where Are The Smart Investors Heading In 2026?
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Coleen Rooney ups stake in Applied Nutrition as it targets working mothers

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Coleen Rooney ups stake in Applied Nutrition as it targets working mothers



Coleen Rooney has upped her stake in Applied Nutrition as the health firm aims to attract a wider cohort of consumers including working mothers.

The TV personality, and wife of ex-footballer Wayne Rooney, has significantly increased her shareholding in the company, it said.

It is understood that Ms Rooney has roughly doubled her investment, which remains below the 3% threshold requiring a listed business to disclose it to the London Stock Exchange.

The Liverpool-based company, which is also backed by retailer JD Sports, launched its shares on the London stock markets in 2024 and has reported a growth in sales since.

Ms Rooney was one of the investors in the firm’s flotation after becoming a brand ambassador for the group, although the size of her shareholding has never been disclosed.

She is also the face of a collection of  products for Applied Nutrition, including collagen and powders that target sleep, immunity, hydration and debloating.

Her involvement has helped the business capture a wider demographic of customers, as the sports nutrition market is typically viewed as a more male-dominated field.

Coleen Rooney said: “Combining a healthy lifestyle with exercise helps me feel good about myself and provides the energy required for a busy mum of four boys especially now that I have gone back to working on several projects and opportunities.”

She said she “couldn’t be happier” about her decision to invest in the growing business, adding: “I am excited about the future of the company as it expands into new markets and products and have decided to invest further.”

Applied Nutrition’s chief executive Thomas Ryder said: “Coleen has played an important role in broadening our customer base and increasing brand awareness among a wider, health-conscious audience.”

Applied Nutrition mainly operates by selling its products to other businesses, including retailers, grocers, gyms and sports clubs, targeting consumers from professional athletes to people wanting to lose weight.



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