With the revival of toll tax after closure of tax counters for three and half weeks, the truck drivers hardships multiplied since last mid-night, mainly for want of small notes. Though the managements of toll plazas announced they have equipped their cash counters with e-pos machines, hardly found at most of plazas in two Telugu states.
Even where such machines are available, only one or two gates are dedicated for vehicles with cash pre-loaded RFID devices and vehicles were forces to remain in queues for hours together. Though it was said in remaining gates they will accept payment through debit and credit cards and mobile wallets, hardly such facilities are seen.
At all toll plazas, banners are welcoming vehicles from 2-km way, requesting to tender exact change. Though they stated they will accept Rs 2,000 notes, at most of the places the common response was “no change please”.
As against about 3.5 lakh transport trucks in two Telugu states, most of the truck drivers still not having debit or credit cards. About 80 per cent of them found stranded for want of cash.
As on National Highways, normally for every 80 kms there is one toll plaza, it became difficult for them to secure small notes at every place. For long distance travellers to get change at every plaza to get small notes remain a difficult task. As even petrol pumps also stopped receiving old notes, they need to get change for petrol and diesel also.
Though Toll Plaza companies announced the staff at toll plazas will accept old Rs 500s would also in case of heavy vehicles who pay Rs 200 or more in toll tax, hardly the staff is ready to take `risk’.