एनएचएआई टोल प्लाजा पर ट्रैफिक जाम को खत्म करने के लिए नए उपकरण लगाएगा।

NHAI to introduce new devices at toll plazas to eliminate traffic jams.

Each time a FASTag-equipped vehicle passes through a toll plaza, the toll is automatically deducted using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. However, the scanning equipment often fails to read the tag on the vehicle's windshield on the first attempt. This not only disrupts the cashless toll payment process but also leads to traffic jams at the toll plaza.

To address these technical issues, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has mandated significant updates to the IT systems and hardware at toll plazas. The goal is to streamline FASTag transactions.

According to the Times of India, NHAI will now prioritize companies that use equipment certified by the Directorate of Electronics and IT Ministry’s Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC). This certification will be required for equipment such as RFID readers, antennas, automatic number plate readers, toll lane controllers, and toll plaza servers.

The report also states that under the new NHAI specifications, 'System Integrators' must provide an undertaking to the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL). If any issues (deviations) arise due to the equipment at a toll plaza, the state agency will have the authority to immediately suspend the panel and forfeit the bank guarantee.

Despite sufficient balance in FASTag accounts, problems with reading the tags or delays often force toll plaza staff to ask vehicles to move back and forth to get a proper scan. Sometimes, staff have to resort to using handheld devices to manually scan FASTags and collect tolls.

These changes by NHAI are expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of FASTag transactions, thereby reducing delays and traffic congestion at toll plazas.

News Reference