The Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) plans to roll out a barrier-less toll collection system at around 200 National Highway fee plazas by FY2026-27, marking a major step toward modernising India’s highway tolling infrastructure. The initiative will allow vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping, enabling faster and more seamless travel on busy highway corridors.
The system will be based on Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology, which uses a combination of FASTag readers, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, and advanced vehicle tracking systems to automatically detect vehicles and deduct toll charges electronically. This eliminates the need for physical toll barriers and reduces congestion at toll plazas.
The move builds on the widespread adoption of FASTag-based electronic toll collection, which already accounts for over 98 percent of toll payments on National Highways. With more than 11.8 crore FASTags issued across the country, the government is now aiming to upgrade the system to a completely barrier-free model for smoother traffic flow.
Under the plan, the implementation will take place in phases. Initial deployments will focus on select high-traffic toll plazas, after which the system will be expanded to nearly 200 fee plazas across the national highway network by FY27. The rollout is expected to significantly cut waiting times at toll booths and reduce fuel consumption caused by idling vehicles.
The barrier-less tolling system will also enhance toll collection efficiency and transparency, as vehicles will be automatically identified through FASTag or vehicle number recognition. In cases where vehicles do not have a valid FASTag, penalties may be imposed through digital enforcement mechanisms.
Once fully operational, the MLFF-based tolling model is expected to transform the highway travel experience by enabling continuous vehicle movement, reducing congestion, and improving operational efficiency across India’s expanding National Highway network.
