Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday that the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll system and AI-driven highway management technology will roll out across India by the end of 2026. This initiative aims to significantly reduce waiting times at toll plazas for millions of commuters.
During the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Gadkari explained that the innovative tolling mechanism will leverage artificial intelligence, satellite technology, and number plate recognition. This technology ensures vehicles can move smoothly without halting at toll booths, enhancing the overall travel experience.
“With the MLFF system, vehicles will transit through toll points at speeds up to 80 km per hour,” said Gadkari, emphasizing that this new system will replace the existing FASTag mechanism. This advancement symbolizes India’s commitment to modernizing road transport.
Previously, toll payments caused delays ranging from three to ten minutes, a scenario that improved to under one minute with the implementation of FASTag. According to Gadkari, “FASTag increased our revenue by at least ₹5,000 crore, and MLFF will offer an even greater facility. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate waiting time altogether.”
The Minister outlined that the new system could generate an additional ₹6,000 crore in government revenue and save fuel costs estimated at ₹1,500 crore. This will also address issues of toll leakage and theft, creating a more transparent and efficient system.
“By 2026, we will complete this project entirely. Once implemented, toll theft will cease, transparency will rise, and commuters will no longer face inconvenience at toll plazas,” Gadkari confidently stated.
Gadkari highlighted that this AI-enabled technology not only aims to improve toll collection but also significantly accelerates travel time on national highways. This enhancement will benefit millions of road users across India and supports the broader vision of a smart transportation network.
The Union Minister clarified the scope of responsibility, stating that the central government oversees national highways, while issues regarding state highways or city roads are often misattributed to national highways. “We aim to ensure a transparent, efficient, and corruption-free system for all users,” he assured the House.
This ambitious announcement stands as a pivotal move towards modernizing India’s highway infrastructure and elevating the ease of travel for countless citizens. As the nation gears up for this change, it underscores the Indian government’s commitment to leveraging mobile technology and innovative solutions to enhance road transport services.
