NHAI Collaborates with Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve to Enable FASTag-based Payments at Forest Entry Points
In a bid to streamline the process of vehicles entering forest areas, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) has partnered with the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, spanning across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states, to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The objective of the collaboration is to introduce a FASTag-based payment system at Forest entry points, offering the convenience of collecting the Ecosystem Management Coordination (EMC) fee through FASTag at various entrance points of the Tiger reserve.
Leveraging Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, the FASTag system enables automatic toll payments at toll plazas, and it is now mandatory for all 4-wheelers and above vehicles in India to have a FASTag affixed. By incorporating FASTag-based payments at forest entry points, visitors can save time by avoiding long queues and delays, enabling them to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of these areas without any hassle.
Promoting sustainable tourism and preserving natural resources by reducing vehicular emissions at forest entry points is an essential objective of the partnership between IHMCL and the Forest Department. With this significant step towards facilitating seamless and efficient entry processes for visitors, the initiative hopes to encourage more people to experience the natural beauty of India’s forests while also contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
