Union Launches India's First Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling System

05 May 2026 CW Team

The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and FASTag to enable toll collection without stopping vehicles.

The rollout represents a step in digitising the tolling ecosystem and modernising national highway infrastructure to meet global norms.

Authorities expect smoother throughput and reduced idling at plazas.

Officials said the barrier-less arrangement is expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion, improve fuel efficiency and lower vehicular emissions by removing the need for vehicles to stop at plazas.

The move is also intended to minimise human intervention in toll operations and to improve transparency and efficiency across corridors.

Implementation at the Surat–Bharuch stretch was presented as an initial phase for wider national deployment.

The ministry framed the initiative as supporting ease of living for citizens and facilitating ease of doing business by enabling faster movement of goods and logistics.

The announcement was linked to government priorities for technology driven upgrades and building commuter friendly highway facilities.

Officials noted that adoption of such systems aligns with efforts to modernise operations while reducing delays and operational costs.

Testing and monitoring protocols were said to be in place to assess performance before nationwide expansion.

The ministry indicated that the Chorayasi launch would serve as a model for subsequent rollouts on other national highway stretches and that lessons from performance and user experience would inform scaling.

The project combined software and hardware elements including number plate recognition cameras, payment integration and backend clearing to ensure frictionless transactions.

Officials outlined that the approach aims to balance technological efficiency with commuter convenience and regulatory oversight.

Further updates will follow after evaluation and stakeholder feedback.

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, launched India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of National Highway 48 in Gujarat. The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and FASTag to enable toll collection without stopping vehicles. The rollout represents a step in digitising the tolling ecosystem and modernising national highway infrastructure to meet global norms. Authorities expect smoother throughput and reduced idling at plazas. Officials said the barrier-less arrangement is expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion, improve fuel efficiency and lower vehicular emissions by removing the need for vehicles to stop at plazas. The move is also intended to minimise human intervention in toll operations and to improve transparency and efficiency across corridors. Implementation at the Surat–Bharuch stretch was presented as an initial phase for wider national deployment. The ministry framed the initiative as supporting ease of living for citizens and facilitating ease of doing business by enabling faster movement of goods and logistics. The announcement was linked to government priorities for technology driven upgrades and building commuter friendly highway facilities. Officials noted that adoption of such systems aligns with efforts to modernise operations while reducing delays and operational costs. Testing and monitoring protocols were said to be in place to assess performance before nationwide expansion. The ministry indicated that the Chorayasi launch would serve as a model for subsequent rollouts on other national highway stretches and that lessons from performance and user experience would inform scaling. The project combined software and hardware elements including number plate recognition cameras, payment integration and backend clearing to ensure frictionless transactions. Officials outlined that the approach aims to balance technological efficiency with commuter convenience and regulatory oversight. Further updates will follow after evaluation and stakeholder feedback.

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