Travel to and from the upcoming Noida International Airport is set to become significantly smoother with the introduction of a barrier-free toll collection system on its link expressway. This innovative approach, utilizing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and FASTag technology, will allow vehicles to pass through toll points without any physical stops, eliminating queues and delays.
How the Barrier-Free System Works
Unlike traditional toll plazas with booths and barriers, the new facility being constructed at Karauli Bangar in Jewar will operate on a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) model. As vehicles approach, high-definition ANPR cameras strategically positioned along the road will automatically scan their number plates. The system then identifies the vehicle through its linked FASTag account and deducts the applicable toll amount instantly.
This means motorists will not need to slow down, roll down windows, or wait for a barrier to lift, ensuring a continuous flow of traffic. The toll charges themselves will remain in effect, but the payment process becomes entirely automated and integrated with existing FASTag infrastructure.
Enhanced Commuter Experience
The implementation of this barrier-free toll system is poised to greatly benefit commuters, particularly during peak travel times, festivals, and long holidays when traffic volumes are typically high. The elimination of stopping points will significantly reduce congestion and travel times on the Noida International Airport link expressway.
This critical link connects the Noida Airport site to the Yamuna river in Haryana's Mohna region. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) aims to complete its connection with the Eastern Peripheral Expressway by December, after which the stretch between Noida Airport and Mohna is planned for public use.
Precedents Across India
The concept of barrier-free tolling is not entirely new to India. Several national highways have already adopted similar systems. The Delhi–Meerut Expressway, for instance, was the first in the country to become a toll-plaza-free highway, employing an ANPR-cum-FASTag-based MLFF system.
Other notable operational MLFF corridors include the Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch stretch of NH-48 in Gujarat, and multiple plazas on the Delhi–Jaipur section of NH-48 in Rajasthan, specifically Shahjahanpur, Daulatpura, and Manoharpura. Delhi's Urban Extension Road-II also features this system at the Mundka Bakkarwala plaza.
Future of Toll Collection
The success and efficiency of these initial implementations have paved the way for a broader rollout. The road transport ministry has already awarded contracts for the barrier-free system at 17 toll plazas nationwide, with five already operational. Bids have also been invited for an additional 104 plazas, indicating a strong push towards modernizing India's toll collection infrastructure.
NHAI further plans to implement the Multi-Lane Free Flow system at approximately 25 national highway fee plazas, making seamless, non-stop toll payments a more common experience for motorists across the country.