Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that the nationwide rollout of the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) tolling system along with AI-based highway management is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, a move aimed at eliminating waiting time at toll plazas.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said the new system will enable vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping, significantly improving traffic flow and commuter convenience.
The MLFF system will allow vehicles to cross toll plazas at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour without any obstruction. Gadkari said the government’s objective is to bring waiting time at toll plazas down to zero minutes.
The system will operate using a combination of artificial intelligence-based number plate recognition, satellite tracking and FASTag integration to automatically identify vehicles and collect toll charges.
Gadkari assured the House that the MLFF scheme will be fully implemented across national highways by 2026. Once operational, it is expected to curb toll revenue leakage, smoothen traffic movement and reduce overall travel time.
Responding to supplementary questions, the Minister said commuters will no longer be required to halt at toll plazas, which will help save fuel and increase government revenue.
He noted that earlier toll payments took between three to ten minutes, which was reduced to under a minute with the introduction of FASTag. The shift to MLFF, he said, would further streamline the process, allowing vehicles to pass toll points at high speeds without stopping.
The Minister also informed the House that the adoption of digital tolling systems has already led to a significant rise in toll revenue, adding that the MLFF system would further enhance efficiency and transparency in highway management.
-IANS
