Toll Plazas Turn Trouble Spots: Delays, Safety Risks, and Poor Management Exposed!

Toll plazas, meant to facilitate smooth travel and provide essential services, are increasingly becoming hubs of inconvenience and danger for commuters. Motorists are paying hefty toll fees, yet face numerous challenges such as malfunctioning FASTag systems, frequent lane closures, and mismanagement by staff. Vehicles are often forced to halt for extended periods due to scanning delays, while sudden lane changes and reversing movements create serious accident risks. A detailed field study across major national highways revealed that over 100 issues persist at multiple toll plazas, highlighting systemic inefficiencies and lack of proper monitoring.

The situation is further aggravated by illegal parking, roadside encroachments, and inadequate infrastructure. Heavy vehicles are parked indiscriminately near toll gates, narrowing passageways and causing traffic bottlenecks. In several locations, poor lighting, absence of speed breakers, and damaged dividers add to the danger, especially during night hours. Additionally, closed lanes due to staff shortages increase congestion, while roadside vendors and unauthorized activities disrupt traffic flow. Experts warn that unless immediate corrective measures are taken, these toll plazas will continue to pose serious safety hazards for road users.