To facilitate a seamless entry process for vehicles into the forest area, Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) has inked a pact with the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve spread across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, according to an official statement.
IHMCL is a company incorporated by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to carry out electronic tolling.
The statement said the initiative aims to provide FASTag based payment system at forest entry points and will extend the benefit of a collection of Ecosystem Management Coordination (EMC) fees via FASTag at various entrance points of the tiger reserve.
This partnership between IHMCL and the forest department is a significant step towards promoting sustainable tourism and preserving natural resources by curbing vehicular emissions at the forest entry points, the statement said.
The FASTag system employs radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enable automatic toll payments at toll plazas. FASTag on all 4-wheelers and above vehicles has been mandated across India. By enabling FASTag-based payments at forest entry points, visitors can avoid long queues and delays, allowing them to savour the natural beauty and wildlife of these areas without any hassles. PTI BKS BAL BAL
