Barrier-less Tolling System to Transform Highway Travel, Reduce Pollution and Improve Efficiency: Shri Nitin Gadkari

1. At a Glance

• Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) is a barrier-less, FASTag + ANPR-based electronic tolling system that allows vehicles to pay user fees at highway speeds without stopping at toll plazas. [S1][S2]
• Rolled out by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) via NHAI and its SPV Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL). [S2][S3]
• Examinable as a flagship technology-governance reform under GS-III (Infrastructure) intersecting environment, logistics cost (PM GatiShakti) and digital governance. [S1]

2. Why in the News

• On 11 May 2026, Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari rolled out the first-of-its-kind barrier-less toll plaza at Mundka–Bakkarwala on UER-II (Urban Extension Road) in the National Capital Region. [S1]
• Preceded by the launch of India's first MLFF system on NH-48 at Choryasi (Gujarat) earlier in 2026. [S4][S2]

3. Background & Evolution

• 2014–16: ETC programme launched; FASTag (RFID) introduced. [S3]
• 15 Feb 2021: FASTag made mandatory at all NH fee plazas. [S3]
• 2024: IHMCL–ICICI Bank agreement to deploy India's first comprehensive MLFF at Choryasi (NH-48, Gujarat) and Gharaunda (NH-44, Haryana). [S3]
• 2026: Live rollout in Gujarat (NH-48) and Delhi-NCR (UER-II Mundka–Bakkarwala). [S1][S4]

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH). [S1]
• Implementing Bodies: NHAI; IHMCL (SPV of NHAI) as toll-tech operator; banking partner ICICI Bank. [S3]
• Technology stack: High-performance RFID readers (FASTag) + Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras (front & rear) to read Vehicle Registration Number (VRN). [S3][S1]
• Legal/Statutory base: National Highways Act, 1956 (toll levy); National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. [S3]
• First MLFF plaza: Choryasi, NH-48, Gujarat (2026). [S4]
• First barrier-less plaza on UER-II: Mundka–Bakkarwala, NCR (11 May 2026). [S1]
• UER-II project cost: ₹7,716 crore, five packages, Delhi Decongestion Plan. [S5]
• Planned rollout: ~25 NH fee plazas under MLFF in FY 2024-25. [S3]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic / Logistics - Toll-collection operating cost expected to fall from ~15% → 3–4%, yielding annual savings of ₹5,000–6,000 crore. [S1] - Lower logistics cost aligning with target of bringing logistics from ~14% of GDP towards single digits under PM GatiShakti / National Logistics Policy. [S1]

Environmental - Estimated annual saving of nearly 250 crore litres of fuel and reduction of ~81,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, particularly benefitting Delhi-NCR air quality. [S1] - Eliminates idling and queue-stop emissions at toll plazas. [S1]

Scientific / Technological - Combines RFID (FASTag) with ANPR computer vision to identify and bill vehicles without barriers; enables post-paid / wallet-based debits. [S3] - Expected travel-time reduction of 20–30% at tolling points. [S3]

Administrative / Governance - Demonstrates PPP delivery — NHAI/IHMCL with banks (ICICI). [S3] - Requires interoperability with VAHAN database for ANPR-based enforcement and recovery of evaders. [S3]

Social - Reduces highway congestion, enhances passenger comfort, supports emergency-vehicle movement. [S1]

6. Recent Developments (12-18 months)

• 2024: IHMCL signs MLFF agreement with ICICI Bank for Choryasi (Gujarat) and Gharaunda (Haryana). [S3]
• Early 2026: NHAI launches India's first MLFF on NH-48 Gujarat. [S4][S2]
• 11 May 2026: Gadkari inaugurates first barrier-less plaza at Mundka–Bakkarwala, UER-II, NCR. [S1]
• 2025: MoRTH "One Year, Many Journeys Made Easier" — review of toll policy reforms including Annual Pass and GNSS-readiness. [S6]

7. Prelims Hooks

• MLFF stands for Multi-Lane Free Flow. [S3]
• Implementing SPV: IHMCL (Indian Highways Management Company Limited) — promoted by NHAI. [S3]
• First MLFF plaza in India: Choryasi, NH-48, Gujarat. [S4]
• First UER-II barrier-less plaza: Mundka–Bakkarwala, NCR, rolled out 11 May 2026. [S1]
• Banking partner for first MLFF rollout: ICICI Bank. [S3]
• Technology pair used: RFID FASTag + ANPR cameras. [S3]
• Expected annual fuel savings: ~250 crore litres. [S1]
• Expected annual CO₂ cut: ~81,000 tonnes. [S1]
• Toll collection cost: 15% → 3–4% of revenue. [S1]
• Estimated annual operational saving: ₹5,000–6,000 crore. [S1]
• UER-II is part of Delhi Decongestion Plan, cost ₹7,716 crore, 5 packages. [S5]
• Toll levy enabling law: National Highways Act, 1956; rates under NH Fee Rules, 2008. [S3]
• FASTag made mandatory at all NH plazas from 15 February 2021. [S3]
• MLFF expected to cut tolling-point travel time by 20–30%. [S3]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Infrastructure (roads, ports, airports), Indian economy and growth, environment (urban air quality).
• GS-II — Government policies/schemes; e-governance.
• Possible question stems: 1. "Barrier-less tolling is as much an environmental reform as an infrastructure reform." Discuss in the context of India's MLFF rollout. 2. Evaluate the role of NHAI's IHMCL and PPP models in modernising India's highway tolling. (15 marks) 3. Examine how MLFF tolling complements PM GatiShakti and the National Logistics Policy in lowering logistics costs.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• FASTag & National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) — predecessor RFID system.
• GNSS-based tolling — next-gen satellite tolling being piloted by MoRTH.
• PM GatiShakti National Master Plan — multimodal logistics integration.
• National Logistics Policy 2022 — cost reduction target.
• Bharatmala Pariyojana — highway expansion programme.
• UER-II / Delhi Decongestion Plan — NCR road network. [S5]
• VAHAN/SARATHI databases — backbone for ANPR enforcement.
• National Highways Act, 1956 & NH Fee Rules, 2008 — statutory basis.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• MLFF ≠ GNSS tolling: MLFF uses RFID + ANPR; GNSS tolling uses satellite positioning — both are being pursued but are distinct.
• Implementing agency is IHMCL (SPV of NHAI), not NHAI directly or MoRTH.
• First MLFF plaza is at Choryasi, NH-48 (Gujarat) — Mundka–Bakkarwala is the first on UER-II/NCR, not the country's first.
• UER-II is an urban expressway in NCR, not a national highway under Bharatmala numbering.
• FASTag was made mandatory in Feb 2021, not at FASTag launch (2014–16).

11. Sources

• [S1] Barrier-less Tolling System to Transform Highway Travel… Shri Nitin Gadkari — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2259988 — (tier 1)
• [S2] Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Launches India's First MLFF Barrier-less Tolling System in Gujarat — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2257226 — (tier 1)
• [S3] NHAI Signs Agreement to Implement India's First MLFF Tolling System in Gujarat — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2162163 — (tier 1)
• [S4] NHAI Successfully Launches India's first Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling System in Gujarat — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2257491 — (tier 1)
• [S5] Gadkari on UER-II as component of Delhi Decongestion Plan (₹7,716 cr) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1907802 — (tier 1)
• [S6] One Year, Many Journeys Made Easier: MoRTH Toll Policies — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2214528 — (tier 1)