India launches first barrier-less tolling system on Surat-Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat

FASTag barrier-less tolling infographic showing seamless vehicle movement and digital toll collection
Infographic showing FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system with seamless vehicle flow. Representative Image (Generated using Google AI)

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the launch of India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat-Bharuch section of National Highway-48 in Gujarat.

The MLFF system enables seamless toll collection without requiring vehicles to stop, using technologies such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition and FASTag-based identification.

The rollout marks a shift towards fully digital tolling infrastructure on national highways, aimed at reducing congestion and improving traffic flow on high-density corridors.

The system is expected to significantly cut travel time at toll plazas by eliminating stoppages, while also improving fuel efficiency and reducing vehicular emissions caused by idling and repeated acceleration.

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By removing physical barriers and minimising manual intervention, the MLFF system is designed to enhance operational efficiency and transparency in toll collection.

The initiative is part of a broader push to modernise India’s highway infrastructure and align tolling systems with global standards, particularly on key economic corridors handling heavy passenger and freight traffic.

Faster toll processing is also expected to support logistics efficiency by enabling smoother movement of goods, which remains critical for supply chains and industrial activity.

The introduction of barrier-less tolling is being positioned as a step towards improving commuter experience while strengthening the overall efficiency of the national highway network.

The Chorayasi pilot is expected to serve as a model for wider adoption of MLFF systems across other national highway stretches in the coming years, as the government moves towards technology-driven tolling solutions.

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