India Unveils First Barrier-Less Toll Plaza in Delhi-NCR as Nitin Gadkari Launches High-Tech MLFF Highway System

Addressing the gathering, Shri Nitin Gadkari said India is rapidly progressing toward world-class road infrastructure standards through technology-driven reforms and smart mobility solutions.

In a transformative leap toward building a next-generation digital highway network, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari on Monday launched India's first-of-its-kind barrier-less toll plaza based on the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at the Mundka–Bakkarwala stretch of the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The rollout marks a major milestone in India's highway modernization programme and signals the beginning of a nationwide transition from conventional toll plazas to fully automated, contactless, and uninterrupted toll collection systems designed to reduce congestion, fuel wastage, emissions, and operational inefficiencies.

The launch event was attended by Minister of State Shri Ajay Tamta, Members of Parliament Shri Harsh Malhotra, Smt. Kamaljeet Sherawat, Shri Yogender Chandolia, NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL).

End of Long Queues at Toll Plazas

The newly introduced MLFF system is designed to eliminate the need for vehicles to stop at toll plazas altogether. Unlike traditional toll booths where traffic bottlenecks are common, the barrier-less technology enables vehicles to pass seamlessly through tolling points without halting, significantly improving traffic flow and commuter convenience.

Officials said the system combines:

• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology,

• FASTag-based Electronic Toll Collection,

• AI-enabled traffic monitoring,

• Digital enforcement mechanisms,to create a fully automated tolling ecosystem with minimal human intervention.

The initiative represents one of the most ambitious digital transport infrastructure reforms undertaken in India's highway sector.

Gadkari Says India Moving Towards "World-Class Highway Infrastructure"

Addressing the gathering, Shri Nitin Gadkari said India is rapidly progressing toward world-class road infrastructure standards through technology-driven reforms and smart mobility solutions.

He stated that the MLFF system was developed using advanced international-standard technologies after extensive consultations with global technology providers and private stakeholders.

"The Government remains committed to continuously upgrading highway technology while ensuring sustainable development and greater commuter convenience," the Minister said.

He thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, public representatives, NHAI officials, and all stakeholders associated with the project for supporting the modernization initiative.

Massive Fuel Savings and Reduced Carbon Emissions

One of the most significant impacts of the new MLFF system is expected to be in the area of fuel conservation and environmental sustainability.

According to Shri Gadkari:

• The system could save nearly 250 crore litres of fuel annually,

• Reduce approximately 81,000 tonnes of carbon emissions,

• Substantially cut vehicular pollution, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region.

India's conventional toll plazas have long been associated with:

• Long vehicle queues,

• Traffic congestion,

• Idling fuel consumption,

• Increased travel time,

• Air pollution hotspots near toll corridors.

By removing physical barriers and enabling uninterrupted vehicle movement, the MLFF system is expected to dramatically reduce waiting time and improve highway efficiency nationwide.

Environmental experts note that toll plaza congestion contributes significantly to urban vehicular emissions, especially around major highway corridors in metropolitan regions.

Operational Costs to Drop from 15% to 3–4%

Shri Gadkari also highlighted the substantial economic benefits associated with the new digital tolling framework.

He stated that traditional toll collection systems previously incurred operational costs of nearly 15 per cent, while the MLFF system is expected to reduce these costs to approximately 3–4 per cent.

The resulting efficiency gains could generate annual savings of nearly:

₹5,000–6,000 crore.

The Minister observed that technology-driven tolling reforms have already significantly improved highway revenue collection across India over recent years through FASTag digitization and electronic toll management systems.

Analysts believe the MLFF model could further enhance:

• Revenue transparency,

• Toll compliance,

• Traffic analytics,

• Digital enforcement,

• Highway management efficiency.

AI-Based Monitoring to Improve Traffic Management

Shri Gadkari said advanced Artificial Intelligence-based technologies integrated into the MLFF framework would also strengthen traffic monitoring and improve highway safety management.

India records one of the world's highest numbers of road accidents annually, and the Minister stressed the need for:

• Greater public awareness,

• Responsible driving behaviour,

• Technology-assisted traffic regulation,

• Better highway surveillance.

The AI-enabled infrastructure is expected to support:

• Real-time traffic analysis,

• Vehicle identification,

• Automated toll compliance,

• Enforcement mechanisms,

• Data-driven highway operations.

FASTag Compliance Mandatory Under New System

Under the new system, highway users must maintain sufficient balance in their FASTag accounts for seamless travel.

Authorities clarified that in cases involving:

• Insufficient FASTag balance,

• Invalid FASTags,

• Non-functional tags,users will receive an Electronic Notice (E-Notice) for non-payment of toll charges.

Key compliance provisions include:

• Payment within 72 hours at normal toll rate,

• Double toll charges after 72 hours of non-payment,

• Possible FASTag blacklisting,

• Restrictions on vehicle-related services through the VAHAN platform.

The E-Notice system can be accessed through the designated portal:https://nhfeenotice.parivahan.gov.in

Users can also file grievances within 72 hours of issuance of an E-Notice.

"Waste to Wealth" Highway Development Model

Shri Gadkari also highlighted the Government's growing focus on sustainable infrastructure and circular economy practices under the "waste to wealth" model.

He revealed that:

• Municipal waste generated in Delhi is being scientifically processed for use in highway construction,

• Such materials are already being utilized in projects like the Dwarka Expressway and Delhi–Mumbai Expressway,

• Bio-bitumen produced from crop residue and waste materials is increasingly being adopted in road construction.

The Minister said these innovations are helping:

• Reduce import dependency,

• Lower construction costs,

• Cut pollution from agricultural residue burning,

• Promote environmentally sustainable infrastructure development.

Gujarat Pilot Successfully Operational

Officials noted that earlier this month, NHAI had successfully launched the MLFF-based tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat.

The Delhi-NCR rollout is now expected to become a model for large-scale nationwide implementation.

The Government believes the MLFF initiative aligns with its broader vision of creating a:

• Technology-driven,

• Efficient,

• Transparent,

• User-friendly,

• Environmentally sustainable National Highway network.

India's Highway Sector Entering a New Digital Era

India currently operates one of the world's largest highway expansion programmes, with expressways, economic corridors, logistics hubs, smart transport systems, and digital infrastructure rapidly transforming road connectivity across the country.

The MLFF rollout is expected to become a cornerstone of India's future mobility ecosystem by integrating:

• Intelligent transport systems,

• AI-enabled enforcement,

• Digital tolling,

• Sustainable infrastructure practices,

• Smart highway management.

Experts believe the success of barrier-less tolling could significantly reshape India's logistics economy by:

• Reducing travel time,

• Lowering transportation costs,

• Improving freight movement efficiency,

• Enhancing fuel productivity,

• Boosting ease of travel for millions of commuters.

As India pushes toward becoming a global logistics and infrastructure powerhouse, the MLFF system represents a major step toward modernizing the country's transport architecture for the digital age.