KOCHI: Toll collection resumed at the Aroor-Kumbalam toll plaza, nearly four weeks after it was suspended following withdrawal of the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.
Though facilities for cashless payment such as POS terminal have been provided, the majority of the motorists continue to prefer cash payment. Also, the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are still being accepted for toll amounts exceeding Rs 200.
Kochi-Aroor Tollways Pvt Ltd CEO T Sahadevan said toll collection resumed after procuring lower denomination currencies in sufficient quantities from the bank for the convenience of commuters. “For some of the motorists, paying toll is an easy way to get their high denomination currency notes changed, especially the new Rs 2,000 note. Since it is not feasible to change the high-value currencies for toll amounts as low as Rs 20, we allowed some of the motorists who did not have change to pass without paying anything. There was no delay in clearing the vehicles, and no long queues were formed even at peak hours,” he said.
The facility to pay by FASTag was also provided at the toll plaza. “FASTags containing radio frequency chips are fixed on the windshield of the vehicle. They function as prepaid cards that can be recharged and used at any toll plaza in the country. Another facility is smart-cards for motorists who pass the toll booth frequently,” said Kumbalam toll plaza manager Sajith.