Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 7 May: To provide relief from the ever-increasing vehicular congestion and long queues witnessed during the tourist season, the Mussoorie Municipal Council has taken a significant step. The FASTag system will now be implemented at Mussoorie’s major tourist fee barriers, offering tourists the convenience of paying fees online without having to stop. In this regard, the Mussoorie Municipal Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Highway Management Company Limited (IHMCL). According to the municipal administration, the FASTag-based fee collection system will be implemented at the Picture Palace Barrier, Library Barrier, and Kolukhet Toll Barrier located on Mall Road. To facilitate this, a technical team from IHMCL will soon arrive in Mussoorie to inspect the sites and commence work on the project.
Municipal Chairperson Meera Saklani stated that, during the tourist season, the formation of long queues at barriers often disrupts traffic flow. Consequently, the implementation of the FASTag system will expedite vehicular movement, eliminating the need for tourists to make repeated stops to pay fees. She further explained that under this project, IHMCL will undertake all necessary tasks, including site surveys, technical inspections, the tendering process, technical design, system integration, and project monitoring. Additionally, the selection and onboarding of solution providers will also be completed under the company’s supervision.
The municipal administration believes that this new system will help alleviate traffic congestion on Mall Road and the city’s major entry routes, thereby ensuring smoother traffic flow during the tourist season. Furthermore, the introduction of an online payment system is expected to enhance transparency. The municipal administration has expressed optimism that, following the implementation of the FASTag system, tourists visiting Mussoorie will enjoy improved facilities, and the city’s traffic management system will become more organised through the application of modern technology.
