Union Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday announced the launch of India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Choryasi toll plaza on the Surat–Bharuch stretch of National Highway-48 in Gujarat.
Surat
The initiative marks a major step toward fully automated toll collection and aims to transform highway travel across the country.
The newly introduced MLFF system eliminates the need for vehicles to stop at toll plazas, allowing seamless movement even on high-traffic routes. Developed as a pilot project, the Choryasi toll plaza lies on the busy Mumbai–Delhi corridor and is expected to serve as a model for nationwide implementation.
According to Gadkari, the system integrates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology with FASTag infrastructure to enable automated toll deductions. Vehicles passing through the toll point are identified using high-resolution cameras and RFID sensors mounted on overhead gantries. The toll charges are then directly deducted from the user’s linked account without any manual intervention.
This advanced system ensures that vehicles can maintain normal highway speeds while passing through the toll plaza, significantly reducing congestion and eliminating long queues that are typically seen at busy toll points. Officials noted that the system is also capable of detecting vehicles without valid FASTags using number plate recognition, after which notices for toll payment are issued.
The introduction of MLFF tolling is part of the government’s broader push to digitise and modernise India’s road infrastructure. Gadkari emphasised that the initiative aligns with global standards and represents a major leap in improving efficiency within the country’s transport network.
He further highlighted that the system is expected to bring multiple benefits, including reduced travel time, improved fuel efficiency, and lower vehicular emissions. By eliminating the need for vehicles to idle at toll booths, the system also contributes to environmental sustainability.
The government has indicated that the Surat-based installation will act as a testing ground for wider adoption. Plans are already in place to expand MLFF technology to more than 1,000 toll plazas across India in the coming years, signaling a nationwide transition toward barrier-less tolling and smarter highway infrastructure.