E-collection at Tamil Nadu toll plazas by December

All the 40 toll plazas on the highways in the state would have an exclusive lane allotted for the ETC system fitted vehicles, a senior NHAI official told this newspaper.

The ETC system has been introduced in two toll plazas in Nemili and Chennasamudaram on Chennai-Bengaluru highway. “All the five toll plazas on the highway in the state will be soon fitted with ETC system,” the official said.

To review the progress of the ETC system, Union highways minister Nitin Gadkari would be chairing a high-level meeting on September 23 in New Delhi.

The ETC enables road users to pay highway tolls electronically without stopping at the toll plazas. The unique number of the radio frequency ID tag affixed on the windshield of the vehicle will be read by the readers fitted in the dedicated ETC lanes of plazas and sent to the Central Clearing House for financial settlement.

“The gate will automatically open, when the vehicle fitted with RFID tag approaches the plaza. Vehicles need not halt and go,” said T. Kathiresan, project manager (Nemili toll plaza), Essel Walajahpet Poonamallee Toll Road Private Limited.

Mr Kathiresan said that around 3,000 vehicles are using the ETC in Nemili toll plaza while 500 vehicles use it in Chennasamudaram toll plaza.

“The cost of the tag is only Rs 150,” he said, adding that if government buses and vehicles using the highways opt for the ETC system, the traffic snarls near the plazas could be avoided.

Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners Federation president R. Sugumar said that the ETC system should be introduced in all toll plazas immediately as it would help reduce the waiting time at the plazas for the truck operators.

“A lane should be exclusively allocated for the RFID tags fitted vehicles in all the toll plazas. Only then it will serve its purpose,” he said.