04-08-2025
FASTag to be implemented at Pykara Lake
After its successful implementation in Doddabetta Peak, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has begun the setting up of infrastructure to implement payments through FASTag at the Pykara Lake and Boat House.
According to officials, work on infrastructure to implement FASTag at Pykara Lake was undertaken over two days last week. While the boat house itself is operated by the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), the road leading to the boat house was under the control of the State Forest Department. Officials said that FASTag had been implemented in Doddabetta last year, and after some initial teething troubles, is now operating successfully, with anywhere between 500-1,000 vehicles entering Doddabetta Peak on any given day.
Meanwhile, officials stated that Pykara Lake, too, records quite a high tourist footfall, with peak tourist traffic sometimes exceeding 500 vehicles a day. The implementation of the FASTag system will not only ensure transparency in collection of entrance fees, but will also lead to lesser queuing tims for vehicles, officials stated. Rates for entry for vehicles varies depending on the type of vehicle from ₹30 for two-wheeler to ₹120 for buses. Officials stated that a portion of the money collected at the entrance to the Pykara Lake is also used for maintenance as well as for conducting clean-ups of trash and litter resulting from tourism to the area.
The system is to become fully functional in the coming days, officials added.
