Kochi: With the toll collection resuming at toll plazas along the National Highways from Friday midnight onwards, a main worry of motorists will be to hand over smaller denomination notes. The Kumbalam toll plaza operator, engaged by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for operation and maintenance of the Edappally-Aroor stretch, has come up with prepaid cash cards to tide over the note shortage crisis post demonetization.
“The aim is to avoid difficulty on both parts. Motorists can purchase the prepaid cards using the old Rs 500 notes too. Though no minimum amount has been set to charge the card, it will be better to opt for high value charges of up to Rs 500, (25 rides) in view of shortage of small denomination currencies,” said Sahadevan Nambiar, CEO, OMT Concessionaire.
Instructions have been doled out to staff to provide changes upon a motorist availing for a minimum Rs 300 card using the old Rs 500 note, the official said. Payment through debit or credit cards, for which Point of Sale (POS) swiping machines are installed at the plaza, and monthly pass were the other options before the motorists. No time limit has been fixed and these cards can be used till the charged amount is exhausted.
While the operators assure swiftness upon using the prepaid cards, motorists remain apprehensive that swiping the debit/credit cards, which entails feeding of the pin number, may hold them up. The toll plaza collects between Rs 20 and Rs 140 depending on the type of vehicle. Vehicles passing through the plaza are classified into seven categories and charged accordingly.
