Indian highways are set to become increasingly digital as highly sensitive optical cameras and RFID readers prepare to monitor vehicles for toll collection. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the rollout of a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) tolling system, enabling barrierless toll payments using FASTag and Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) recognition.
Indian Highways Management Co Ltd (IHMCL), promoted by NHAI along with road concessionaires and financial institutions, has begun inviting tenders for implementing the new system. Initially, the MLFF system will be deployed at around 25 National Highway fee plazas during the current financial year, covering stretches operated by NHAI. A consortium comprising a bank or financial entity and a system integrator will be responsible for setting up the tolling infrastructure.
According to Anuresh Sharma, Chief Operating Officer of Arya Omnitalk, “Seven or eight projects have already gone live with bids from ICICI Bank, Airtel Payment Bank, Jio Payments Platform, and IDFC First. These are the frontrunner banks in the MLFF space.”
The successful implementation of the system will rely on three key inputs: front ANPR, rear ANPR, and RFID readers installed on gantries. Sharma explained, “The FASTag will be read, and the front license plate captured using optical character recognition technology enhanced by artificial intelligence. As the vehicle moves away, the rear license plate will also be recorded, providing three key inputs for accurate toll processing.”
The MLFF system will also use LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to classify vehicle types. Once a transaction is captured, it will be transmitted to the responsible bank or financial entity, which will verify the details with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and debit the FASTag wallet.
While currently operational only at publicly funded toll plazas, private road concessionaires have begun transitioning to the MLFF system. Future concession agreements are expected to mandate its adoption, signaling a major shift toward fully digital, barrierless tolling on Indian highways.
