The Indian government has opted for a barrier-free toll collection system on national highways, integrating existing FASTag technology with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics. This decision comes as a proposed GPS-based tolling system has been put on hold for further expert deliberation due to significant concerns regarding security, privacy, potential breaches, and overall operational control.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, confirmed the development in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. He stated that the Apex Committee and a High-Level Empowered Committee, comprising industry and academic experts, recommended additional review for the GPS-based system.
Multi-Lane Free Flow System Details
The chosen Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system is designed to revolutionize toll operations by enabling vehicles to pass through toll plazas without needing to stop, slow down, or remain in a designated lane. User fees will be collected electronically through a combination of RFID-based FASTag and ANPR technology, enhanced by AI analytics for efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation and Rollout
The government has already awarded contracts for the implementation of this advanced system at 17 toll plazas across the country. Of these, five locations are currently operational: Choryasi in Surat (Gujarat), Mundka in Delhi, Gharaunda in Haryana, and Manoharpura and Daulatpura in Rajasthan.
Further expansion is planned, with bids invited for implementing the technology at an additional 104 toll plazas, signaling a significant nationwide rollout of the barrier-free tolling system.
FASTag Annual Pass Success
In related news, the FASTag Annual Pass scheme, introduced on August 15, 2025, for non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans, has seen robust adoption. As of June 2026, over 77 lakh annual passes have been issued, facilitating 63 crore transactions at national highway toll plazas. These annual pass transactions now account for approximately 33 percent of all electronic toll collection by eligible vehicle categories.
Grievance Redressal and Overall Adoption
To address user concerns, the government has established multiple channels for lodging complaints, including the National Highways toll-free helpline (1033), a dedicated email ID for false toll deductions, FASTag issuer bank helplines, and the Rajmarg Yatra mobile application.
Under the National Electronic Toll Collection program, FASTag currently accounts for more than 98 percent of user fee collection on India's national highways, underscoring its widespread acceptance and effectiveness.