SC directs Delhi Govt. to install RFID at 13 points

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Delhi Government to install Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) at 13 entry points of the national capital.

The amount of installing the RFID is to be sourced from the Delhi Government's environment compensation charge.

During the hearing, the apex court pulled up the Aam Aadmi Part (AAP)-led Delhi Government over delay in implementation of the RFID.

"Do you have any principle in opposition to the project? If not, then why do you want to oppose it? We should be progressive and make systemic changes. Other countries have been using this technology for so long...London has had a metro since the 1870's," the court said.

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court which had sought directions to the Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporation to ensure commercial vehicles entering the city pay a sum of not less than Rs. 600 (for LCV and 2-axle) and not less than Rs. 1200 (for 3-axle and above).

The petitioner had also sought that all collection of toll for vehicles entering Delhi be switched to the RFID system of collection of toll on and from December, 2015.

The court had directed that the toll collectors would put in place RFID system at their own cost at nine main entry points in the city by November 30 and by January 31, 2016 at all the remaining 118 entry points to the city, failing which the contractors will be treated as being in breach of their obligation.

The system works on ultra-high frequency signals, and every entry and exit of vehicles is stored in a system, which enables long period of storage with easy retrieval facility of historical data at any point in time.