Traffic jams at toll plazas
Delays at toll plazas are irritating because they are preventable with better management. Despite there being separate lanes for cars, buses and other heavy vehicles, the system doesn’t work as people don’t follow rules. The picture below is taken on the Mumbai-Pune expressway.
Rules are followed only if someone enforces them…and no one enforces rules at toll plazas (or toll nakas as they are called in India) unlike at traffic signals. Most major traffic signals in Mumbai are manned by cops, and now several important junctions have cameras as well.
Another type of indiscipline seen at toll nakas (in the city) is ignoring of the “monthly pass” lane. Breaking of this rule is of great inconvenience to pass holders. At least half the vehicles entering these “pass only” lanes do not have passes…and neither do they have the loose change!
And heaven forbid if the driver in the car in front starts to argue with the toll collector over the amount to be paid. You can add another 5-10 minutes to the waiting time. It’s amazing how people can argue when the rates for the toll are clearly written on a notice board! This is not a rare occurrence by the way…I would say it’s quite normal to have some argument or the other going on.
What is really bugging is when people make double lines and try to nudge through. This results in more delays and often heated arguments between drivers. People behave like they have come to a toll naka for the first time!
At times the delay is caused by the police and RTO officials themselves. They stop vehicles (mostly trucks) just in and around the toll plaza, to collect bribes. These trucks are parked haphazardly and add to the traffic woes.
No wonder tempers run high at toll nakas. Recently at the Vashi toll plaza a 25 year old artist traveling in a taxi with his friends was fatally attacked by the occupants of a Ford Ikon because he protested against the Ikon parking parallel to their taxi at the toll naka. This means that we better keep our mouths shut if someone acts tough…who knows if there are goons traveling in the other car!
Delhi too has had its share of problems. There was the fiasco immediately after the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway was opened and the commuters had to wait for an hour or so just to pay the toll tax. Apparently the situation has improved now, although I could not find confirmation of this.
I don’t understand why rules cannot be enforced when toll nakas are usually over staffed. There is often an extra person standing outside the cashier’s window, either to help with the cash (!) or open the gate if the electronic gate fails!
Once people know they will be fined they will be more careful about getting into the wrong lane. The extra money can be put into building better infrastructure…hi-tech cameras for example.They could also have better quality people manning these toll plazas, people who are interested in regulating the traffic and keeping order. Once I asked a guy why they allowed the drivers to get away with such nonsense. The answer I got was: aisa hi hai (it’s like that only!)
Cameras are essential at toll nakas. They will keep drivers in check. And the cameras should also help in beefing up the anti-terror network. It is a shame that despite Mumbai being on the terror list, there are no cameras to capture images of vehicles at entry and exit points of the city.