New Delhi   

Toll plazas a nightmare for commuters

Sandeep Joshi

Haphazard management by private operator causing traffic jams and commotion

NEW DELHI: Despite the passage of over six months since the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) announced that all toll collection centres at the inter-State borders would be converted into fully automated hi-tech toll plazas ensuring not only effective monitoring of movement of goods into the Capital but also allowing smooth movement of all vehicles, commuting has literally become a nightmare for Delhiites at these points.

Former Municipal Commissioner Rakesh Mehta had claimed that the concept of automated toll plazas installed with the "intelligent transport system" for scanning goods vehicles would ensure fast clearance of vehicles, avoiding unnecessary queuing up of vehicles. However, little has changed since privatisation of toll collection work by the civic body, as motorists entering Delhi have to face problems due to haphazardly managed toll plazas by private operator, causing traffic jams and commotion.

The Corporation opened its first toll plaza at the Badarpur border almost five months ago, and since then another half-a-dozen plazas have opened at other inter-State borders, but still there are no signs of any automated technology being implemented and improvement in traffic management.

The ten entry points (inter-State borders) to have toll plazas are Singhu, New Mandoli, Apasara, Ghazipur, Kalindi Kunj, Badapur, Aya Nagar, Tikri, Kapashera and Rajokri.

The major reason behind the traffic chaos at the inter-State border, particularly during night hours when movement of heavy goods vehicles is allowed, is lack of proper training of employees manning toll plazas.

They not only erect barricades at will at borders but also fail to follow laid procedures meant for operation of toll plaza, causing grave inconvenience to motorists.

Though all entry points are badly affected, the situation is really worse at inter-States routes that pass through Badarpur, Kalindi Kunj, Loni, Apsara and Kapashera.

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