Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 6: FASTag has been made mandatory in all the tollgates across the country with effect from February 15. All the six tollgates of coastal Karnataka are ready to move over to the 'FASTag only' regime. However, the locals are coming together as they feel that the toll concession extended to them so far will disappear.

Except Talapady, the toll-gates at Brahmarakootlu, NITK Surathkal, Hejamady, Sastan and Shiroor tollgates have witnessed a sharp increase in the use of FASTag. National highway officials expect most of the remaining people to change over to FASTag use. The FASTag use which was around 40 percent till recently, has now risen to 70 percent. In Talapady most of the people using the tollgate travel to and fro many times a day. Therefore, chances of them changing over to FASTag are less.

Henceforth, those living within a short distance from either side of the tollgates will not get complete concession. They can buy a monthly pass of Rs 275 under which private cars can make any number of trips. Commercial vehicles can undertake 50 trips. Once the passes are issued, they are linked to the FASTag. But locals and bus owners are opposed to his system. The activists have been demanding total concession and they are determined against removing the concession they are enjoying till now.

Hereafter, there will not be 'only cash' lanes. People having FASTag can move in any line. In case of people without FASTag, an effort would be made to convince them to acquire FASTag. FASTag sales counters and recharge points have been set up in all the gates. Highway officials say that from February 15, vehicles without FASTag cannot pass through the tollgates.

In the meantime, activists who say that the tollgate at Surathkal NITK is illegal, are planning to organize protests again on a large scale. To discuss future course of action, a meeting has been called at 9 am on February 7 at Satyadharma Devi temple at Mukka.