Published: 31 August 2025PIBEconomy
NHAI Signs Agreement for India's First Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling System in Gujarat
Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), signed an agreement with ICICI Bank on August 30, 2025, to implement India's first comprehensive Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at Choryasi Fee Plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat. The system uses FASTag RFID readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras for barrier-free toll collection, eliminating the need for vehicles to slow down or stop at toll booths.
The MLFF system represents a major shift in India's highway tolling infrastructure. Under the current system, vehicles must decelerate and queue at toll plazas, causing significant congestion, fuel wastage, and delays. The new MLFF technology allows vehicles to pass through toll points at normal highway speeds, with tolls automatically deducted via FASTag or captured through ANPR for later billing.
NHAI has announced plans to expand this system to 25 National Highway fee plazas during FY 2025-26, with a target of covering all major national highway corridors by 2028. The initiative is part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' broader strategy to modernize India's highway infrastructure and improve the commuter experience across the 1.46 lakh kilometre national highway network.
0Mains angle
Q: Evaluate the significance of India's first Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling system at Choryasi on NH-48 for highway infrastructure modernisation and commuter experience.
Answer (50 words):
The September 2025 IHMCL–ICICI Bank agreement deploys FASTag readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras at Choryasi Fee Plaza, enabling barrier-free tolling at highway speeds. It cuts plaza congestion, fuel wastage and queuing delays across India's 1.46 lakh km network, with planned rollout to 25 plazas during FY 2025-26.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system and where was India's first MLFF implemented?
**Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF)** is a barrier-free toll collection system where vehicles pass through at normal highway speeds without stopping. India's first MLFF was implemented at **Choryasi Fee Plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat**, using FASTag RFID readers and ANPR cameras.
Which organizations signed the agreement for India's first MLFF tolling system?
**IHMCL (Indian Highways Management Company Limited)**, promoted by **NHAI**, signed the agreement with **ICICI Bank** to implement India's first Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling system.
What technology does the MLFF tolling system use for barrier-free toll collection?
The MLFF system uses two key technologies: **FASTag RFID readers** for electronic toll detection and **Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras** for vehicle identification, enabling seamless barrier-free toll collection.
How many National Highway fee plazas will have MLFF tolling by FY 2025-26?
**NHAI plans to expand MLFF** tolling to **25 National Highway fee plazas** during **FY 2025-26**, significantly reducing congestion and fuel wastage across major highways.
What are the key benefits of the MLFF tolling system for highway users?
The **MLFF tolling system** allows vehicles to pass through toll plazas at **normal highway speeds** without stopping, which significantly reduces **traffic congestion**, saves **fuel wastage**, and improves overall travel time on national highways.
