adminZinara chief executive officer Mr Frank Chitukutuku last Friday said the refurbishment of old tollgates on other highways was a temporary measure to house the new computerised tolling system and would be replaced when funds for rehabilitation of the roads are found.
“They would be changed when those other roads are being rehabilitated. We cannot build the new tollgates similar to those on the Plumtree-Bulawayo-Mutare road when the other roads are in bad state otherwise we will be accused of misplaced priorities.
“We, however, expect that if all goes well the tollgates under construction will be unveiled by the end of April,” he said.
The rehabilitation of the Plumtree-Bulawayo-Mutare highway is being done in conjunction with Group Five of South Africa and will see construction of the new toll gates along the way.
Zinara intends to introduce a new computerised system that will prevent motorists owing it from passing.
The computer system will be linked to Zinara’s database and will be able to recognise the owner of the car, number plates, and whether the vehicle is licenced.
If the vehicle is not licensed, it will not be allowed to pass the tollgate.
Government vehicles and foreign light passenger vehicles will be exempted from paying toll fees while foreign trucks would be required to buy transit coupons at border posts they will produce to proceed at toll gates.
There would be a power back up system at every tolling site and Zinara is in the process of installing solar panels as part of the back system.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter