NHAI rolls out barrier-free tolling on Delhi-Jaipur highway
New Delhi, Aug 1
The National Highways Authority of India has made travel on the Delhi-Jaipur section of National Highway-48 completely barrier-free with the rollout of the Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling system at the Shahjahanpur Toll Plaza in Rajasthan, it was announced on Saturday.
With the latest rollout, all three toll plazas on the busy Manesar-Jaipur corridor -- Daulatpura, Manoharpura and Shahjahanpur -- are now equipped with the MLFF system, enabling commuters to travel without stopping at toll plazas, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said.
The MLFF framework allows vehicles to pass through toll locations without physical barriers or manual intervention, significantly reducing waiting time and ensuring uninterrupted traffic movement, it added.
In addition, the technology is expected to improve travel efficiency, save fuel and reduce vehicle emissions caused by congestion at toll plazas.
The system combines Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology with FASTag-based electronic toll collection to facilitate automated user fee collection. The initiative is aimed at leveraging technology to improve road user experience while enhancing the efficiency and transparency of toll operations.
According to the government, highway users should maintain sufficient balance in their FASTag accounts to ensure seamless travel.
In cases of insufficient balance, invalid or non-functional FASTags, commuters will receive an electronic notice (e-notice) for non-payment of the user fee, it said.
Moreover, the toll amount must be paid within 72 hours of the issuance of the e-notice. Failure to do so will attract a charge equivalent to twice the normal user fee applicable to the vehicle category. Users can access and pay e-notices through the designated portal.
The implementation of the MLFF system is expected to strengthen the country's tolling ecosystem by reducing operational costs associated with physical toll plazas, improving transparency and increasing the overall efficiency of toll collection, the government said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a great initiative, but I have a concern - what about people who don't have FASTag or whose vehicle plates are dirty/obscured? The 72-hour payment window is fine, but the double fee penalty seems harsh if the e-notice goes to spam or the person is not tech-savvy. Also, what happens to the toll staff who lose their jobs? Need clarity on these points.
I just drove through Shahjahanpur last week and it was smooth as butter! 🚗 No stopping, no confusion - just drive through and the system reads your plate. This is how modern infrastructure should work. Hoping they extend this to the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg and other major corridors soon.
Technology is fine, but what about the people who were employed at toll plazas? This is a genuine concern in rural areas where NHAI had created jobs. Also, the e-notice system - most common people don't check official portals regularly. I hope they send SMS notifications along with the portal notice, otherwise the double fee rule will catch many innocent drivers off guard.
As someone who moved to India recently, this is a welcome change! The old toll system was chaotically noisy with all the honking and jostling. But I think the government should also install better lighting and signage so the ANPR works reliably at night and in bad weather. Also, what happens to vehicles with international plates? Just curious! 😊
This is really good news for frequent travellers. But I hope NHA
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