New Delhi: In what could come as a big relief “for some time” for a large number of daily office goers using the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, the NHAI won’t charge toll from commuters for using the barricaded or access-controlled stretch from Nizamuddin Bridge up to Dasna. However, those going up to Meerut will have to pay the toll soon, which will be notified by the road transport ministry soon.
To begin with, the tolling will be done on the greenfield stretch from Dasna to Meerut. Officials said those travelling up to Meerut will have to pay the full toll charge for the distance travelled from their origin on the expressway. Since the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will go for “closed tolling”, the commuter will have to pay for the exact distance covered on the expressway.
The toll charge will be automatically deducted from the FASTags fixed in the vehicles and commuters will end up paying double charge, if their vehicles don’t have FASTags.
“Eventually, all commuters using any portion of the barricaded stretch will have to pay the user fee. But currently we don’t want to collect this charge from those travelling up to Dasna. First, we are aiming to stabilise the new system of non-stop travel on the expressway and automatic deduction of toll charge from the FASTag wallet,” explained an official.
The 60 km stretch of the e-way has eight entry and exit points — Sarai Kale Khan, Akshardham, Indirapuram, Dundehera, Dasna, EPE (near Masuri), Bhojpur and Meerut. NHAI is deploying the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system for tolling to make it seamless.
However, to check non-payment, toll booths will be placed on the stretch between Dasna and Meerut. “We can’t do this within city limits as it may cause congestion considering the traffic volume,” said an official.