Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday that India will implement the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll system and AI-based highway management technologies by the end of 2026. This innovative approach aims to eliminate waiting times at toll plazas, enhancing the travel experience for countless commuters nationwide.
The MLFF toll system will utilize advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring, and automatic number plate recognition. Gadkari explained that this system will allow vehicles to traverse toll points at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, without the need to stop.
Current toll payment methods, which often consume between three to ten minutes, have already improved with the introduction of FASTag, reducing wait times to under a minute. Nitin Gadkari emphasized, “Our goal is to bring waiting time down to zero minutes with the MLFF system, which provides an even more efficient solution.”
The new tolling model is expected to save up to ₹1,500 crore in fuel expenses while generating an additional ₹6,000 crore in revenue for the government. Moreover, it aims to completely eradicate toll theft and leakage, ensuring that every rupee collected goes toward national development.
“By 2026, we will finalize the implementation of the MLFF toll system across all national highways,” Gadkari assured Rajya Sabha members. He emphasized that the introduction of this system will not only enhance transparency but also significantly reduce travel time and improve the efficiency of highway transport.
The Minister acknowledged that the central government manages only national highways, not state highways or city roads. He urged the public to differentiate between issues on different road types, which are often misrepresented on social media platforms.
As India strides toward becoming a developed economy, the rollout of advanced systems like MLFF represents a pivotal step in modernizing national infrastructure. This initiative addresses long-standing pain points for highway users, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing ease of commuting.
In summary, the MLFF toll system and AI-driven highway management will revolutionize how tolls operate in India. Commuters can look forward to a streamlined journey devoid of unnecessary delays—an essential improvement for millions relying on national highways. The central government remains ambitious in its vision to create a transparent, efficient, and corruption-free travel experience.
