NHAI to introduce prepaid touch-and-go cards to cut long queues

With the aim of minimising cash transactions at toll plazas, NHAI will soon roll out a Delhi metro-type prepaid touch-and-go card for commuters. Each card will cost around Rs 50 and can be used only on “hybrid” lanes where payments are made either by cash or through electronic means. NHAI’s toll management wing, Indian Highways Management Company Limited, has invited bids for the roll-out of this system. According to the tender document, the successful bidder will set up at least two dedicated points of sale (PoSs) and deploy manpower in three shifts for card issuance, recharge, top-up facility and cash management at each national highway toll plaza for the initial three months. The prepaid card system will be integrated with the toll management system to enable the toll operator to select the vehicle class so that the applicable toll fee can be deducted immediately from the prepaid card on tapping the PoS device.