On lines of the CSM International Mumbai Airport, Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport too is set to usher in a FASTag-enabled car parking system. Insiders briefed that the facility will be introduced later this month. This is do away with the endless wait at the toll points to and out of the parking lot.
FASTag will work in much the same way. Cars will have to pass through an access-barrier when they enter the airport parking facility, and the FASTag affixed on the car will be scanned.
“There will be a 10-minute fee for exit. After 10 minutes, there is a charge of Rs 90 for every 30 minutes. Later, as passengers exit the parking space, based on the time spent in the parking lot, the applicable fee will be directly debited from the car’s FASTag account. Additionally, 32 high frequency automatic number plate recognition cameras have been installed at various points in the vicinity. More than 100 CCTV cameras have also been installed,” shared an SVPI official.
A similar system was implemented at the Mumbai airport in December. The FASTag-enabled parking system is part of the larger parking automation project of the SVPI airport.
“FASTag-enabled parking system will enable cashless transactions and reduce the turnaround time for entering and exiting a parking space and the waiting period at the parking. It will also help reduce traffic congestion at parking checkpoints at the airport. The idea is to reduce human intervention and make it a smooth process for transiting passengers,” the source said.
At present, the SVPI airport operator charges Rs 90 for parking a private/commercial/SUV car for 30 minutes.
The same for a tempo or minibus comes to Rs 300, and for a coach or bus Rs 500. Charges go further up as the parking duration extends.
SVPI airport records movement of at least 37,000 passengers in a day. Sources said an estimated 15,000 cars, including private and commercial vehicles, make an entry at the airport on a daily basis. This is over and above the two-wheelers and coaches that arrive at the city airport.
Relevant authorities are also mulling over implementing a pre-payment option for parking.
“In case the customers are not availing the FASTag option, just before exiting, they can also scan a QR code and make a pre-payment for their parking duration. This way, passengers can directly exit the airport. A system is being worked out and will soon be in place,” shared the official.
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