I read with interest the Works Ministry's proposal to increase the number of lanes on the North-South Highway from four to six. There is, however, no mention of purpose or reason on the need to spend RM1 billion on the upgrading work.

Logically, I assume it is to increase the traffic capacity at certain critical stretches on the highway during peak seasons.

As a layman and a frequent highway user, in my opinion, increasing the number of lanes alone will be insufficient to address the problem. The traffic crawl on the highway during peak seasons usually starts when approaching the toll plazas. One does not need to be an engineer to tell that what goes in has to come out.

It would, thus, be wise to also increase the number of toll lanes at the entry and major exit points. In the meantime, perhaps the ministry should seriously consider a more technologically advanced toll collection system that requires no stop, halt or pause. The Touch N Go collection system is outdated and has many flaws.