The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has warned highway users against tampering with vehicle number plates after detecting an alleged case of toll evasion at a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling location on a National Highway.
The case involved the misuse of a vehicle registration number and manipulation of the number plate to avoid toll payments.
NHAI said the matter has been referred to the concerned authorities for further action and an FIR has been registered.
“NHAI has taken note of a recent incident regarding the alleged misuse of the vehicle registration number and tampering of number plate to avoid toll payments on MLFF-operated toll location on National Highway. The matter has been referred to the concerned authorities for appropriate action, and an FIR has been filed in this regard,” the authority said in a statement on X on Wednesday, 3 June.
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The incident highlights the growing role of technology-based enforcement systems being deployed across India’s National Highway network as the country expands digital toll collection mechanisms.
According to NHAI, vehicle details are verified through integrated systems linked with the VAHAN and Parivahan databases, allowing authorities to identify discrepancies between a vehicle’s registered details and the number plate displayed on the vehicle.
Such systems are increasingly being used at advanced tolling locations, including MLFF corridors, where toll collection relies on automated vehicle identification and digital verification rather than conventional toll plazas.
“Advanced technology-driven systems deployed across the National Highway network, in coordination with the VAHAN/Parivahan database and other digital enforcement mechanisms, enable verification of vehicle details and identification of discrepancies between vehicle registration records and number plates displayed on vehicles,” NHAI said.
NHAI said altering or tampering with vehicle registration plates is a violation of the law and may attract enforcement action by the relevant authorities.
“National Highway users are advised not to alter or tamper with vehicle number plates in any manner. Such practices not only violate the law but may also lead to enforcement action by the concerned authorities,” the authority said.
