FASTag trial results in long queues at cash lanes

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, December 3

The GMR Expressway Ambala-Chandigarh Highway Pvt Ltd conducted a hour-long trial of FASTag at Dappar toll plaza on Tuesday afternoon to take stock of the traffic situation once it becomes mandatory from December 15.

During the trial, congestion was noted at the toll plaza. An official of the GMR Expressway Highway Pvt said of the total 12 lanes, 4 each on both sides, are equipped with FASTag devices and two lanes each are been kept open for collection of toll through cash.

The toll official said within a few minutes, long queues were noticed at the cash lanes and the trial run did not yield the desired results.

It happened because many commuters did not have FASTags and they used the cash lanes, the official added.

If things are unmanageable and requires intervention, then the matter will be taken up with the higher authorities and appropriate measures will be taken, added an official.

The officials, however, expressed optimism that increased awareness about the new system will result in reducing the chaos witnessed at the trial.

To create awareness among the commuters about the new rule, the toll authorities have been making regular announcements through public address system like putting up hoardings, distributing pamphlets and each vehicle without FASTag is being approached and apprised benefits of it.

With just two weeks left for the rule to be implemented across toll plazas, the GMR Expressway Ambala-Chandigarh Highway has urged all vehicle owners to obtain FASTags from the toll plazas or designated banks and online platforms such as Paytm and Amazon.

As per sources, nearly 40,000 vehicles cross the toll plaza daily. From the distribution of the new tags for monitoring the outcome of the trial run, the authority is leaving no stone unturned to make the transition smooth.

FASTag is an electronic device that works on radio frequency identification technology (RFID) for making toll payment directly from the prepaid account linked to it.

The tag is affixed on the windscreen of vehicle and it ensures that the toll is collected once the vehicle passes through the FASTag lane of toll plaza.

It is affixed on the windscreen, so the vehicle can drive through plazas without stopping.

RFID technology is similar to that used in transport access-control systems, like Metro smart card.