Udupi: The work on Toll Plazas at Hejamady on the border of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts and at Sasthana has been completed and though the structures are ready to function, the National Highway Authority of India has not yet given its nod for the same.

Though the display boards stipulating the amount chargeable for vehicles have been put up, the collection process has not yet started.This comes as a result of agitations by locals, who have demanded winding up operations of Surathkal Toll Gate, which is in close proximity to Hejamady toll gate and that the toll collection should not be started till the entire NH-widening project is completed.

While heavy vehicles and four-wheelers will be charged, two-wheelers and autos will be spared. Special rebate will be offered to local residents living within 20 kms radius of the toll plaza.

The mammoth 14 lane toll plaza will have seven lanes each for vehicles from both sides. As per sources, the technology to go in place in the plaza will facilitate clearing of the payments within 10 seconds. The toll plaza will have an ambulance station so as to cater to rescue accident victims in 40 kms stretch of the plaza. Medical help will also be made available here.

Electronic payment

The toll plaza will also be compatible for electronic payment of the toll. The vehicle owners can get ‘Fast Tag’ or pre-paid bar coded stickers put up on their vehicle from ICIC bank, which works on Radio Frequency Identification technique. When the car passes the lane, the bar coded sticker is read by the equipment, which debits the amount.