Government pilots barrier-free tolling using ANPR and FASTag on 8 highways
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced a pilot initiative to implement a barrier-less toll collection system on eight selected national highway stretches. This move is aimed at improving efficiency in tolling operations and easing vehicular movement through Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology.
Rather than deploying the previously proposed satellite-based tolling system, which would have tracked vehicle movement throughout the journey via satellites, the government has opted for a corridor- or stretch-based solution. The pilot project will use a combination of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and the FASTag system to charge vehicles without requiring them to stop at toll booths.
ANPR technology allows for vehicle identification by reading license plates, while FASTag relies on RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) for toll deduction. The hybrid system will upgrade existing toll plazas, eliminating physical barriers but still relying on roadside equipment.
A senior ministry official stated that the pilot project will help evaluate the system’s effectiveness before a wider rollout. Selection of the stretches was based on traffic density, geographic distribution, lane setup, and congestion levels.
Currently, the pilot includes:
- Choryasi Toll Plaza on the Bharuch-Surat stretch of NH-8 (RFP awarded)
- Gharaunda Toll on the Panipat-Jalandhar section of NH-44 (bids under evaluation)
- Nemili Toll on the Walajapet-Poonamallee segment of NH-48 (bids under evaluation)
- Bijwasan and Panchgaon (Integrated) on the Dwarka Expressway NH-248BB (bids invited)
- Manoharpura, Shahjahanpur, and Daulatpura tolls on the Delhi-Jaipur stretch of NH-48 (bids invited)
- UER-II along NH-344M and NH-344N (re-bidding underway)
The system will coexist with existing FASTag infrastructure, offering an alternative route to traditional toll plazas and aiming to create seamless vehicle movement.
Enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance or FASTag violations will be handled through electronic notices. Failure to pay could lead to FASTag suspension and penalties under the VAHAN vehicle registration system. A dedicated grievance redressal mechanism will be available via the e-notice portal developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), National Highways helpline 1033, the Rajmargyatra app and support channels of FASTag-issuing banks.
The government plans to expand the system gradually, based on the performance and feedback from the pilot implementation.
