New Delhi, May 2: India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-free tolling system recorded the passage of approximately 41,500 vehicles on its inaugural day, according to official data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Saturday.
This system was launched at the Choryasi Toll Plaza on the Surat-Bharuch route of NH-48 in Gujarat. Under this initiative implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), vehicles can pass through toll plazas without stopping, utilizing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Fastag-based electronic toll collection technology.
The barrier-free framework aims to facilitate smoother traffic flow, reduce human intervention, and eliminate congestion at toll plazas. This is expected to decrease traffic jams, reduce travel time, save fuel, and lower emissions from vehicles.
The announcement of this new system was made by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday, who described it as a significant step towards digitizing India’s tolling system and modernizing highway infrastructure to meet global standards.
Gadkari noted that this system would simplify citizens’ lives and enhance the efficiency of freight and logistics movement, thereby promoting business ease.
The central government has already implemented a fully digital toll collection system at national highway toll plazas since April 2026, where payments are made through Fastag and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Fastag penetration in the country has exceeded 98%, leading to a major transformation in the toll collection system.
NHAI has advised highway users to maintain sufficient balance in their Fastag accounts. If the account balance is insufficient or the Fastag is found invalid, an electronic notice will be issued, requiring payment within 72 hours. Failure to comply may result in double toll charges.
The MLFF system is part of the central government’s broader plan to create a modern, transparent, and user-friendly highway network.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
