By the month-end, motorists, including truckers, across Tamil Nadu will be able to cross the 40 toll plazas managed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), using prepaid Fast Tag cards.
Of the 40, toll plazas located at Sriperumbudur, Paranur near Chengalpattu, Vanagaram on Chennai Bypass and Karanodai on NH5 are near Chennai.
There is also one in Athur between Tambaram and Tindivanam.
Trial is already on at a fast pace at a few select plazas where separate lanes are being marked for vehicles that have the cards, said V. Chinna Reddy, chief general manager (technical), NHAI (Chennai region).
Cash transaction
“Soon, trials for cash transaction will also be conducted. In a couple of days, toll plazas will distribute pamphlets with details of the scheme. We will initially target 25 per cent of the 8.20 lakh trucks that cross our plazas every day,” he said.
The prepaid Fast Tag cards will be sold through ICICI Bank at a cost of Rs. 250 each and the amount thus collected will go towards the initial deposit.
Truckers sceptical
However, truckers are sceptical and allege the prepaid cards will lead to more corruption. V. Murugan, State general secretary, Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Federation, said many plazas collect a higher amount than what is fixed.
The Federation has been demanding the government collect a fixed amount as road tax and remove the toll charges.
“Nearly 90 per cent of the lorry owners are illiterate. If the toll is prepaid, we won’t know towards what the amount has been debited,” said Murugan.
The Fast Tag cards will be sold at
Rs. 250 each and
the amount collected will be towards
initial deposit
