KOLKATA: Vidyasagar Setu could have a FASTag facility installed at its toll plaza by April, allowing vehicles to zoom through the gates without stopping to pay. HRBC, which maintains the bridge and the toll plaza, is holding talks with banks operating FASTag facility for the installation.
FASTag is a device that employs RFID technology for making toll payments directly while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle owners need to have adequate money in the account so that the tag affixed on the vehicle’s windscreen can be used to make the payment instead of physically paying the amount. Direct collection of toll through an RFID tag, which is now used on NH toll plazas, helps reduce congestion near toll gates.
HRBC has sought expression of interest from the banks operating FASTag by February 10, an official said. Since most cars plying along NHs have the RFID tag, it will not be a difficult task and others too would be encouraged to have it as it is an automatic payment gateway. But there will be one gate through which vehicles without the RFID tag will be allowed, an official said.
As one heads to Nabanna from Kolkata or enters the city through Vidyasagar Setu, often there is a queue at the toll plaza. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had recently asked state officials to try and adopt measures to accelerate the speed of toll collection.
According to the HRBC official, as the Shalimar station is gaining attention with more long-distance trains, the installation of FASTag gates has become a necessary. “With the return to normal economic activities, there will be increased traffic volume. So we hope to have the facility soon,” he said.
