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India’s First Barrier-Less Toll System Logs 41,500 Vehicles on Day 1

India's first multi-lane free flow barrier-less tolling system recorded around 41,500 vehicles on its first day at Chorayasi Toll Plaza in Gujarat. The system uses ANPR and FASTag for seamless toll collection without stopping, reducing congestion and travel time. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari hailed the rollout as a milestone in digitizing India’s toll ecosystem. The government plans to fully digitize toll payments via FASTag and UPI from April 2026.

Key Points: India’s First Barrier-Less Toll System Sees 41,500 Vehicles on Day 1

  • India’s first barrier-less toll system logs 41,500 vehicles on Day 1
  • Uses ANPR and FASTag for seamless traffic flow
  • Aims to reduce congestion, travel time, and emissions
  • FASTag penetration crosses 98%, with digital payments from April 2026
2 min read

India's first barrier-less tolling logs around 41,500 vehicles on Day 1

India’s first barrier-less toll system records 41,500 vehicles on Day 1 at Chorayasi Toll Plaza. NHAI’s MLFF tech aims to cut congestion and travel time.

"The rollout is a major milestone in the digitisation of India's tolling ecosystem and the modernisation of highway infrastructure in line with global standards. - Nitin Gadkari"

New Delhi, May 2

India's first multi-lane free flow barrier-less tolling system recorded around 41,500 vehicles at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat-Bharuch stretch of NH-48 in Gujarat on the first day of operations, according to official data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Saturday.

The system that was rolled out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has enabled vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and FASTag-based electronic toll collection.

The barrier-less framework is designed to ensure seamless traffic flow with minimal human intervention and is expected to reduce congestion, cut travel time, improve fuel efficiency and lower vehicular emissions on national highways.

The launch was announced on Friday by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who described the rollout as a major milestone in the digitisation of India's tolling ecosystem and the modernisation of highway infrastructure in line with global standards.

Union Minister Gadkari said the system would enhance ease of living for citizens and promote ease of doing business by enabling faster and more efficient movement of goods and logistics across the country.

The rollout comes as the Union government has already transitioned to fully digital toll collection across National Highway fee plazas, with payments being processed through FASTag and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from April 2026.

FASTag penetration has crossed 98 per cent, significantly transforming toll collection practices.

Moreover, NHAI has advised highway users to maintain an adequate balance in their FASTag accounts.

In cases of insufficient balance or invalid FASTag, an electronic notice will be issued, requiring payment within 72 hours, failing which double toll charges may be levied.

The MLFF system is part of the Union government's broader push to create a more efficient, transparent and commuter-friendly highway network.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Sounds great in theory, but I hope they've thought about what happens when the ANPR cameras fail or a number plate is dirty. Also, the 72-hour penalty for insufficient FASTag balance seems harsh—what if someone's bank server is down? Still, good step forward overall.
J
James A
As someone who travels between Surat and Bharuch frequently, this is a game-changer. I've wasted countless hours in queues. The fuel savings alone will be significant. Kudos to NHAI for pushing digitization. Now please implement this across all major corridors! 🛣️
P
Priya S
I wonder what the cost of implementing this system is vs. the old method. Is it really saving money or just shifting costs? Also, what about privacy concerns with ANPR tracking every vehicle? We need transparency in how this data is used. Otherwise, it's a decent move.
R
Rahul R
This is the India we want to see! No more stopping, no more cash hassles. Gadkari ji is really transforming our highways. Hope they extend this to the Delhi-Mumbai expressway soon. Also, please make sure the FASTag recharge is seamless—UPI integration must be smooth. 🇮🇳
K
Karan T
Good initiative but I'm concerned about the double toll penalty. What if someone's FASTag is valid but the reader doesn't detect it? Also, rural areas might struggle with digital literacy. They should have a grace period or manual backup for at least six months. Still, positive step.

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