By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 25 Jun: Tourists visiting Mussoorie may soon find relief from long queues at entry barriers. The National Highways Authority (FASTag division) and the Mussoorie Municipal Council have taken a significant step towards implementing a state-of-the-art FASTag-based fee collection system at the Mall Road and Kolukhet barriers. On Wednesday, a joint team from both departments conducted a site inspection to assess the feasibility of implementing this system. Thousands of vehicles enter Mussoorie daily during the tourist season. Consequently, long queues form at the Mall Road and Kolukhet barriers for fee payment, causing inconvenience to tourists and often leading to traffic congestion. Plans are being formulated to implement the FASTag system to address this issue.
A joint inspection was conducted by the FASTag technical team and municipal officials at the two barriers on Mall Road and the eco-tourism fee barrier at Kolukhet. During the inspection, a detailed evaluation was carried out regarding technical resources, internet connectivity, camera systems, vehicle identification technology, and the fee collection mechanism. Officials also assessed the available space at the barriers and the requirements for equipment installation and operation to ensure there are no technical hurdles when the system is eventually implemented. Under the proposed system, the fee will be collected directly from vehicles via FASTag. This will reduce the need for cash transactions and make the fee collection system more transparent and accountable. Additionally, digital records of revenue data will be easily accessible. Experts believe this will not only facilitate the administration’s work but also curb potential irregularities in tourism fee collection. Traffic jams and long queues on the entry routes to Mussoorie during the tourist season have long been a cause for concern. The implementation of the FASTag system will significantly reduce the need for vehicles to stop at barriers, thereby ensuring smoother traffic flow and saving time for tourists. Local traders and hoteliers believe that this efficient traffic system will benefit the tourism industry and further strengthen Mussoorie’s image as a modern tourist destination. During the meeting held after the inspection, discussions took place regarding the next steps for the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the FASTag authorities and the municipal administration. Officials decided to hold a general meeting prior to finalising the agreement to incorporate suggestions from public representatives, trade associations, and other stakeholders. The municipal administration believes this initiative will prove to be a significant step towards transforming Mussoorie into a digital and ‘smart’ tourist town. If the plan succeeds, it will pave the way for integrating other civic services onto digital platforms in the future. Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani, the Executive Officer, councillors, FASTag technical experts, and officials from relevant departments attended the meeting.
