RBYF wants to run toll plaza as FAStag creates traffic snarls

NONGPOH: Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) on Thursday demanded the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to handover the toll plaza, at Pahammawlein in Ri Bhoi to the federation as the NHAI has failed to maintain a smooth traffic along the national highway.
The federation led by its president Bipul Thangkhiew, said that they have received complaints about the traffic snarls and commuters have missed their flights and trains due to the delay cause by the FASTag issue at the toll gate.
A FASTag outlet was installed near the toll plaza to ease traffic movement. However, the device instead, is causing a lot of inconvenience and traffic jam for hours in the area, the federation said.
“We have spoken to the manager of the toll plaza telling him that if he cannot handle traffic jam, hand over the toll plaza to us for smooth running of the traffic,’ Thangkhiew said.
The federation has also demanded to withdraw the FASTag outlet set up near the toll plaza, as this is one of the main reasons leading to traffic snarl.
The federation leaders stated that this is harassment to the commuters, and that the NHAI should have sensitised and organised mass awareness programmes before strictly implementing FASTag stickers on vehicles as most of the drivers are not aware of the device. Further, the federation also stated that FASTag stickers can be issued from various banks and offices of the Transport Department, therefore it is not necessary for the NHAI to set up its own outlet at the toll plaza. The federation has asked the state government to take equal responsibility in solving the difficulties faced by the people.