Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced India’s advancement towards top-notch highway infrastructure with the launch of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system. The system, inaugurated at Mundka-Bakkarwala in the National Capital Region, aims to enhance travel efficiency, reduce pollution, and cut logistics costs across the nation.
The MLFF system revolutionizes toll collection by implementing a contactless and barrier-free mechanism that enables vehicles to pass through toll plazas without stopping. This is made possible through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology integrated with FASTag-based electronic toll collection.
Gadkari emphasized that the new system, developed with cutting-edge international-standard technology, follows extensive consultations with technology providers and private stakeholders. He highlighted the system’s benefits, including seamless travel, reduced pollution, lower logistics costs, and enhanced operational efficiency nationwide.
The Minister underscored the government’s dedication to enhancing highway infrastructure through technology-driven reforms to improve commuter convenience and ensure sustainable development. The MLFF system is projected to save approximately 250 crore liters of fuel annually and cut around 81,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, particularly benefiting pollution-affected areas like Delhi-NCR.
Gadkari pointed out that the barrier-less tolling mechanism will notably decrease waiting times at toll plazas, leading to significant fuel savings and a smoother travel experience for commuters. Moreover, operational costs in toll collection are expected to drop from nearly 15% to around 3-4% under the MLFF system, potentially resulting in annual savings of about Rs 5,000-6,000 crore.
