The Delhi MCD is modernising its parking management by expanding FASTag payment system. It began first with 55 surface parking facility and will now be spread to nine more parking locations in the city. This is all for the achievement of complete digitalised parking fee collection so that it will become seamless and automatic for the driver.
What is a FASTag?
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system for making automatic payments at parking facilities, toll plazas, and other fee collection points. The technology is based on radio frequency identification and allows users to pay without stopping their vehicles, thereby reducing waiting times and promoting smoother traffic flow.
Expansion of FASTag Facilities
Nine more parking locations have been added and, going forward, 64 sites in total across the city will accept FASTag payments. The new sites are along Isckon Temple in Rohini, the central warehouse on Ghazipur Road, Ryan Shalon Montessori School, and other locations in sectors 8, 16, and 25 of Rohini, Nand Nagri, Mangolpuri, and Jafrabad West. It will streamline operations to provide smooth parking for all.
This is an extension of the highly successful FASTag system first launched in South MCD’s Dwarka Sector 14 in September 2021. This digital payment system would make the parking system much more convenient and transparent since one would not need to deal with parking attendants or cash payments.
How the System Works
The FASTag system uses sensors fitted at the entry of parking lots and automatically reads the RFID tags affixed to the vehicles. After the car has been allowed to enter, the sensors detect the FASTag and automatically debit the parking fees from the linked account. This completely eliminates the process of manual intervention while making it smooth and cashless for users.
The scheme aims to avoid parking charge disputes since the amount will automatically be deducted from the driver’s FASTag-linked account. In addition, the system is relatively automated, allowing better monitoring and control of parking spaces; thus, misuse or unauthorised access is highly unlikely.
Benefits of the Expansion
The FASTag-based parking system entails numerous benefits, including:
Smooth Payment Procedure: As it implements automatic RFID scanning, the driver is not required to be involved with the parking operator; hence payment procedure is speedy and also quite effective.
Decreased Congestion: Removing cash handling and processing in person will help hasten entry and exit procedure which decreases congestion at the parking area.
Effective Monitoring: This system ensures much better monitoring and controlling the parking lot that keeps the malpractices away.
It aims at a cashless and paperless environment that brings a cleaner and more organized city.
Current Status and Future Plans
This attempt raises hopes for the MCD, which deployed FASTag at 55 places while new locations are put across with the aim to computerize all parking operations. Therefore, there will be a better user experience along with efficiency of the operation between citizens and visitors.
The MCD will extend FASTag to the rest of the city. In the next phase, the work began in May at 21 locations in the city, including Sapna Cinema in East of Kailash, the Dwarka metro stations, and many multi-level parking lots in the city. This way, larger parts of Delhi will be provided with this modern digitalized parking solution.
Implementation and Future Development
These FASTag-enabled parking stations are coming up with open tendering wherein the agencies selected will undertake the responsibility of operating, maintaining, and collecting the parking fees. The implementing agencies would work in a gestation period of two months wherein all equipment required for the effective working, such as boom barriers and sensors, will be put in place.
It would have a monthly license fee. So, the payment directly goes into the concessionaire’s account so there can be a smooth and transparent system of collection of payments.
Conclusion
Expansion of FASTag services in other parking locations in Delhi would make way for better traffic and parking management in this city. This digital payment system of MCD is providing comfort to the drivers and making a more organized, efficient, cashless city. As the project is expanded, more and more residents will enjoy smoother, faster, and more reliable parking experiences. Delhi is going to lead the path towards modernization as it deviates slightly from more traditional and old-fashioned systems of operation.
Refer :
Economic Times, Link to article
Also read : MCD to Complete Key Projects After GRAP Restrictions Lifted in Delhi