PIB TrackerNHAI rolls out barrier-free 'Multi-Lane Free Flow' tolling on NH-48
NHAI launched Rajasthan's first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling at the Daulatpura plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur highway — letting vehicles pass without stopping using number-plate recognition linked to FASTag.
What happened
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched Rajasthan's first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at the Daulatpura Toll Plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur section of NH-48.
- MLFF introduces barrier-less tolling with minimal human intervention, letting vehicles pass through toll points without stopping.
- It integrates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with FASTag-based electronic toll collection to charge user fees automatically.
- NHAI plans to extend MLFF to the Shahjahanpur and Manoharpur plazas on the corridor; earlier rollouts include Choryasi (Surat-Bharuch, NH-48) and Mundka-Bakkarwala (Delhi UER-II).
- By enabling zero waiting time, MLFF saves time, improves fuel efficiency and cuts emissions; insufficient/invalid FASTag triggers an E-Notice payable in 72 hours, else double the fee.
For Prelims
- MLFF: Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling lets vehicles pass toll points without stopping or barriers, charging fees automatically — a step beyond FASTag lanes that still use boom barriers.
- ANPR: Automatic Number Plate Recognition uses cameras to read vehicle number plates, enabling barrier-less charging and enforcement when paired with FASTag.
- FASTag: India's RFID-based electronic toll-collection system, mandatory on national highways since 2021, deducting tolls from a linked prepaid account.
- NHAI: The National Highways Authority of India, a statutory body under the NHAI Act, 1988 (under MoRTH), responsible for developing and managing national highways.
- Benefits: Barrier-free tolling reduces congestion, waiting time, fuel use and emissions, and supports Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.
- Enforcement: For invalid/low-balance FASTag, an E-Notice is issued; non-payment within 72 hours attracts double the user fee.
- Don't confuse: MLFF (no barriers, ANPR + FASTag) is an advance over conventional FASTag lanes (which still have barriers); a future GNSS/satellite-based tolling model is distinct from ANPR-based MLFF.
For UPSC: NHAI launched Rajasthan's first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling on NH-48, using ANPR + FASTag for barrier-free passage. Anchor MLFF and ANPR, FASTag (RFID, mandatory since 2021), NHAI (NHAI Act 1988, under MoRTH), the congestion/fuel/emission benefits, the E-Notice enforcement (72 hours/double fee), and the contrast with conventional FASTag and future GNSS tolling.
What it is NOT: MLFF (barrier-less, ANPR + FASTag) is a step beyond ordinary FASTag lanes, which still use boom barriers; it is also distinct from the proposed GNSS/satellite-based tolling. It is an NHAI (MoRTH) initiative on national highways; the E-Notice and double-fee penalty apply only to insufficient/invalid FASTag cases.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS3.9 · GS2.15 · Linkage L2
Anchor
Technology-led infrastructure and ease of living — barrier-free tolling to cut congestion and modernise highway user services.
Substantiation (data)
NHAI's first MLFF tolling in Rajasthan (Daulatpura, NH-48) using ANPR + FASTag; earlier at Choryasi (Gujarat) and Mundka-Bakkarwala (Delhi); E-Notice enforcement.
Exemplification
Cite MLFF tolling (with FASTag) as an example of leveraging technology for seamless mobility, fuel savings and lower emissions on highways.
Problematisation
ANPR accuracy, enforcement against evaders, privacy of vehicle data, and interoperability/transition costs are challenges for barrier-free tolling.
Way-forward
Scale MLFF nationally with robust ANPR and enforcement, ensure data privacy, and progress towards seamless (eventually GNSS-based) tolling.
Position
Government stance: barrier-free MLFF tolling delivers citizen-centric, technology-driven highways advancing Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.
Deploys into: Highway infrastructure & digital tolling (MLFF/FASTag, NHAI) · ease of living & logistics efficiency · technology in governance · emissions & fuel savings (GS3.9 infrastructure, GS2.15 e-governance & service delivery).
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways · 2026-06-19 · PRID 2275237 · PIB source ↗