NHAI draws a line to avoid queues at toll plazas due to errors reading FASTags

March 14, 2021  

 

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will draw a different colored line on each toll lane in NHs and once the row of vehicles touches that line, the toll operator will have to open the gate to all vehicles in that particular lane that are free to drive.

Sources said the plan is in preparation and this started after the Department of Road Transport began monitoring toll plazas and queues in real time in response to congestion reports despite the increased use of FASTag to pay tolls. “There is strict live monitoring on the top floor and we have been instructed to take all necessary steps to ensure that travelers move smoothly through the toll plazas as the government has promised to move smoothly through the plazas. With the use of FASTag to pay the toll, it has become mandatory, ”said a senior NHAI official.

In recent days, senior officials, including regional officials, general managers and general manager, have overseen traffic management at toll plazas. One of them said: “The number of FASTag transactions has risen to 90% from just 60-70%, even at toll plazas in remote areas. So now we cannot hide behind any excuse for traffic congestion at the toll plaza. Strict monitoring of live data through an IT platform has brought about a big change in recent days, ”he added.

Meanwhile, officials said the distance at which the racial barrier will be placed will differ from one square to another based on the flow of traffic and the number of toll lanes available in certain locations.

They also claimed that all toll operators have been given strict instructions to let people cross the square for free if their system is down or doesn't read the smart tag. The notification of the Ministry of Road Transport on May 7, 2018 specifies: “If a vehicle user with a valid and functional FASTag or a device of this type with sufficient balance in the linked account crosses a payment plaza installed with electronic toll infrastructure, that is, it not. You can pay the usage fee through FASTag or any other device of this type due to a failure in the electronic toll infrastructure, the user of the vehicle will be able to pass through the toll plaza without paying any usage fee. An appropriate zero transaction receipt is required for all such transactions. "

Complaints about not receiving the return trip discount: There are some complaints from travelers who do not receive the return trip discount within 24 hours and end up paying the full toll in both directions. The return trip discount is permitted under NHAI rules on government-funded sections where the toll is levied for NHAI. This rule does not apply to most private broker toll roads due to specific contractual terms. However, NHAI officials said they will investigate the problem and fix it shortly.