Toll plazas on Outer Ring Road to go hi-tech

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) officials have decided to invite tenders for Rapid Frequency Identification Device (RFID) system under Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on Outer Ring Road (ORR).

Earlier, the HMDA had decided to take Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) system on ORR, but after the approval from the State government, the HMDA has decided to use RFID at 23 toll plazas on ORR.

A senior HMDA official said the HMDA was planning earlier to use DSRC system, but the government has approved the proposal to deploy RFID system on toll plazas as it is being used all over India. He said the State government had asked the department to call for tenders for RFID to take up work at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the RFID technique is much cheaper in cost when compared to DSRC and is being used all over India. People using RFID will not have to wait at the toll plaza as the tag provided on the vehicles will deduct the tax automatically.

Toll will be collected with RFID system at toll plazas including, Patancheru, Saragudem, Medchal, Shamirpet, Keesara, Ghatkesar, Pedda Amberpet, Bongulur, Nanalramguda toll barrier on both entry and exit points. But, out of five toll gates at Shamshabad, the toll will be collected through RFID only at gate two and five at entry point. At toll gates one, three, and four RFID will be available only at exit points.