Nitin Gadkari Launches First Barrier-Less Tolling System on NH-48 in Gujarat

The rollout signals a decisive shift from traditional toll plazas to fully automated, non-stop toll collection, placing India among a growing group of nations adopting advanced intelligent transport systems.

In a landmark step toward transforming India's highway infrastructure into a seamless, technology-driven ecosystem, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has announced the launch of the country's first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the high-traffic Surat–Bharuch stretch of NH-48 in Gujarat.

The rollout signals a decisive shift from traditional toll plazas to fully automated, non-stop toll collection, placing India among a growing group of nations adopting advanced intelligent transport systems.

A Paradigm Shift: Tolling Without Stopping

The MLFF system eliminates the need for vehicles to slow down or stop at toll plazas, using a combination of cutting-edge technologies:

• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) for vehicle identification

• FASTag-based electronic toll collection for seamless payment processing

This integrated system ensures that toll charges are automatically deducted while vehicles continue at highway speeds, effectively removing bottlenecks that have long plagued India's busy corridors.

Transforming India's Tolling Ecosystem

Describing the initiative as a "game changer," Shri Nitin Gadkari said the introduction of barrier-less tolling represents a major milestone in the digitisation and modernization of India's National Highways network.

"This system will significantly enhance commuter experience while improving operational efficiency across the highway network," the Minister stated.

The MLFF system is expected to deliver multiple high-impact benefits:

• Reduced travel time due to elimination of queues

• Decongestion of highways, especially on high-density corridors

• Improved fuel efficiency, lowering operational costs for motorists

• Reduction in vehicular emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability

• Minimal human intervention, enhancing transparency and reducing leakages

Boost to Logistics and Economic Efficiency

India's logistics sector, which relies heavily on road transport for over 60% of freight movement, stands to benefit significantly from the introduction of MLFF tolling.

By enabling uninterrupted movement of goods:

• Transit times will reduce substantially

• Supply chain efficiency will improve

• Logistics costs—currently estimated at 13–14% of GDP—could see gradual reduction

Shri Gadkari emphasized that the system will directly support 'Ease of Doing Business', particularly for industries dependent on time-sensitive transportation.

Enhancing 'Ease of Living' Through Smart Mobility

The Minister highlighted that barrier-less tolling is not just an infrastructure upgrade but a citizen-centric reform aimed at improving everyday travel.

By removing the need to stop at toll plazas, the system enhances:

• Commuter convenience

• Road safety by reducing sudden braking and congestion

• Overall travel experience on national highways

"This initiative reflects our commitment to improving 'Ease of Living' for citizens by leveraging technology to simplify daily interactions with infrastructure," Shri Gadkari said.

Aligned with Global Best Practices

Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling systems are widely used in countries such as:

• The United States

• Germany

• Singapore

• Australia

With this launch, India is aligning its highway infrastructure with global standards in intelligent transport systems, reinforcing its position as a rapidly modernizing economy.

Part of a Larger Digital Highway Vision

The MLFF rollout is part of the Government of India's broader push toward:

• Digital infrastructure integration

• Smart mobility solutions

• Automated traffic management systems

Officials indicate that, following successful implementation and evaluation, the system could be scaled across major national corridors, replacing conventional toll plazas over time.

Driving the Vision of a World-Class Highway Network

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government has accelerated investments in:

• National highway expansion

• Expressway development

• Digital and smart infrastructure

The introduction of MLFF tolling represents the next phase in this transformation—moving beyond physical infrastructure to intelligent, technology-enabled mobility systems.

A Step Toward Sustainable and Efficient Transport

Beyond efficiency, the system also contributes to India's environmental goals by:

• Reducing idle engine time at toll plazas

• Lowering fuel consumption

• Cutting greenhouse gas emissions

As India continues to expand its highway network, integrating such sustainable solutions will be critical to balancing growth with environmental responsibility.

Looking Ahead

The successful deployment of MLFF at Chorayasi Toll Plaza is expected to serve as a pilot model for nationwide adoption, paving the way for a future where highway travel in India is:

• Faster

• Cleaner

• More efficient

• Completely frictionless