By Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, May 11: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) based tolling system at the Mundka Toll Plaza on the Urban Extension Road-II—the first barrier-less toll plaza in the Delhi NCR region.
The MLFF system introduces a seamless, contactless tolling framework by integrating Automatic Number Plate Recognition with FASTag-based electronic toll collection, enabling automated user fee payment with minimal human intervention.
It is expected to enhance travel efficiency, reduce congestion, improve fuel efficiency, and lower vehicular emissions at toll points.
In his address, Gadkari said India is rapidly moving towards world-class highway infrastructure with the introduction of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system, which will ensure seamless travel, reduce pollution, lower logistics costs and improve operational efficiency across the country.
Gadkari said the MLFF system has been developed using advanced international-standard technology and required extensive consultations with technology providers and private stakeholders.
He said the Government remains committed to continuously upgrading highway technology while ensuring sustainable development and greater commuter convenience.
Highlighting the benefits of the new system, Gadkari said the barrier-less tolling mechanism will significantly reduce waiting time at toll plazas, resulting in substantial fuel savings and smoother travel experience for commuters.
He noted that vehicles will no longer be required to stop at toll plazas, thereby improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on highways.
Emphasising the economic advantages of the initiative, Gadkari said that toll collection operations earlier incurred expenditure of nearly 15 per cent, which under the MLFF system is expected to reduce to around 3-4 per cent.
He stated that the reduction in operational costs could result in annual savings of approximately ₹5,000-6,000 crore. He further observed that technology-driven reforms in toll collection have substantially increased highway revenues over the years.
Expressing concern over road safety, Gadkari said that a large number of road accidents take place in the country every year and stressed the need for greater public awareness and responsible driving behaviour.
He added that advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technologies integrated into the MLFF system would help improve monitoring and traffic management.
He said the system would provide commuters with zero waiting time, smoother travel experience and reduced transportation costs.
The Minister also appealed to the media and citizens to support the initiative and spread awareness about the benefits of technology-driven highway reforms for public convenience, environmental protection and national development.
The system integrates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology with FASTag-based Electronic Toll Collection to facilitate automated user fee collection with minimal human intervention.
The implementation of MLFF marks a major advancement in development of digital National Highway infrastructure and will significantly improve travel efficiency for National Highway users.
By enabling uninterrupted vehicular movement, the system will help to improve travel time, enhance fuel efficiency and reduce vehicular emission at the toll location.
For a seamless experience, National Highway users will be required to maintain sufficient balance in their FASTag accounts.
In case of scenarios such as insufficient FASTag balance, invalid or non-functional FASTag, users will be issued an Electronic Notice (E-Notice) for non-payment of user fee.
Such users will be required to pay normal user fee within 72 hours of the E-Notice.
In case of non-compliance after 72 hours, the user fee will be charged at twice the normal rate of the vehicle category.
E-Notices can be accessed and paid through the designated portal https://nhfeenotice.parivahan.gov.in/#/. Users can also raise grievances within 72 hours of issuance of E-Notice.
Non-payment of E-Notices may result in blacklisting of FASTag and restriction of other vehicle-related services through the VAHAN platform.
Earlier this month, NHAI successfully launched the MLFF based tolling system at the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat.
