In a landmark move to modernise tolling and ease highway travel, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has signed an agreement with ICICI Bank to implement the country’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system.
The contract was signed in the presence of NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, along with senior officials from NHAI, IHMCL, and ICICI Bank at NHAI headquarters in New Delhi.
The pilot project will be rolled out at Choryasi Fee Plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat, making it the first barrier-free toll plaza in India. A similar pact was also signed for Gharaunda Fee Plaza on NH-44 in Haryana.
NHAI plans to introduce MLFF tolling at around 25 fee plazas across the country in the current financial year, with the process of site identification already underway.
Speaking on the occasion, Yadav said, “This agreement to implement the Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling system marks a significant milestone in the evolution and modernisation of tolling in India. By leveraging technology, it will establish the foundation for a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly tolling ecosystem.”
The MLFF system uses FASTag-linked RFID readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to enable seamless toll transactions without requiring vehicles to stop at plazas. The initiative is expected to reduce congestion, cut travel time, enhance fuel efficiency, and lower emissions, while improving toll revenue collection.
This milestone is seen as the first step towards building a nationwide network of smarter, faster, and more efficient toll roads.