Commuters on the Pune-Mumbai expressway and Pune-Bengaluru highway are grappling with prolonged traffic delays at the Khed Shivapur and Khalapur toll plazas, owing to a series of issues with FASTag implementation. From malfunctioning scanners to motorists unaware of the proper usage, these problems are causing disruptions in the flow of vehicles.
Chinmay Shaligram, a frustrated commuter, recounts a bitter experience at the Khalapur toll plaza where he was held up for nearly 20 minutes due to technical glitches with the FASTag scanners. Dissatisfied with the ordeal, Shaligram, like many others, has chosen to avoid the expressway, opting for the old highway instead.
Several commuters shared similar grievances, citing unreliable FASTag scanners at the toll plazas. When the scanners fail, toll collectors resort to manual scanning or request drivers to move their vehicles until the sensor detects the FASTag sticker. This manual intervention results in traffic congestion at the plazas, creating a frustrating experience for travelers.
Adding to the complications, some commuters report technical glitches in their FASTag wallets, displaying incorrect or zero balances despite adequate recharges. Toll collectors then demand manual toll payments, leading to unnecessary disputes and further delays.
Sanjay Kadam, the Pune project director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), attributes the traffic holdup to motorists entering FASTag lanes without the required stickers. He emphasizes that the slowdown is not solely due to issues with the FASTag system or its scanners but is exacerbated by arguments and altercations between motorists and toll plaza officials.
Additionally, wrong-side driving and illegal parking near Shindewadi contribute to traffic problems on the expressway stretch. A road diversion created for a flyover construction near Shindewadi has resulted in locals parking their vehicles and engaging in wrong-side driving, further complicating traffic flow. The NHAI has sought police intervention and stationed marshals to manage and streamline traffic in the affected areas.
While officials claim that FASTag scanners are operational and undergo regular checks, activists like Sanjay Shirodkar argue that non-functional scanners constitute an infrastructure problem, and affected motorists should be compensated. Shirodkar also raises concerns about toll plazas potentially underreporting the number of vehicles passing through them.
An official from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) attributes the slow movement of vehicles to heavy traffic on the expressway. While acknowledging occasional glitches in FASTag scanners, the official emphasizes prompt resolutions and assures minimal waiting times at toll plazas during peak traffic periods.
