Annual pass to ease traffic congestion at toll booths nationwide

New Delhi: To address traffic congestion caused by vehicle overcrowding at several toll booths across the country, the Central Government is formulating new measures. Plans include introducing an annual toll pass for vehicles, allowing them to pass through a dedicated lane, and implementing an automated number plate recognition system, according to officials from the National Highways Authority who briefed the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

PAC chairman K C Venugopal pointed out that excessive toll collection has been causing issues in many areas, leading to difficulties for travellers. He cited the Paliyekkara toll collection in Kerala as an example.

Toll collection has been in place at Paliyekkara for 13 years, generating around Rs 1,526 crore. However, road maintenance, accident-prone zone improvements and other essential works have not been completed, except at the Chalakudy flyover, Venugopal informed the officials.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Road Transport Ministry Secretary V Umashankar and National Highways Authority Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav.