In a transformative announcement, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari revealed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the country will implement the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll system and advanced AI-based highway management by the end of 2026. This initiative aims to eliminate waiting time at toll plazas, thus enhancing convenience for commuters.
During the Question Hour, Gadkari explained that the upcoming tolling mechanism, driven by Artificial Intelligence, satellite technology, and number plate recognition, will allow vehicles to cross toll points without stopping. This seamless flow of traffic is set to transform the travel experience for millions of road users across India.
“With the MLFF system, commuters will enjoy uninterrupted travel at speeds of up to 80 km per hour,” Gadkari stated, indicating a significant enhancement over the current FASTag system, which the new technology will ultimately replace.
The Union Minister emphasized that previous toll payment times ranged from three to ten minutes but with FASTag, this time was reduced to less than a minute. “FASTag increased our revenue by at least ₹5,000 crore. The MLFF system will offer even greater benefits, and our ultimate goal is to reduce waiting time to zero minutes,” he added.
Gadkari highlighted the financial advantages of the MLFF system, projecting savings of around ₹1,500 crore on fuel consumption alone. He also estimates that the new system could generate an additional ₹6,000 crore in revenue for the government, while effectively eliminating toll leakages and theft.
“By 2026, we will have completed this project fully. Once the system is implemented, toll theft will cease, and transparency will significantly improve, ensuring that commuters face no inconvenience at toll plazas,” he said confidently.
Furthermore, the AI-enabled technology aims to drastically cut travel time and enhance overall efficiency on the national highways, paving the way for smoother transportation across the country.
When discussing jurisdiction, Gadkari clarified that the central government only manages national highways, stating, “State highways and urban roads fall under different jurisdictions. Issues related to such roads often get miscommunicated on social media as being connected to national highways.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment, saying, “We are working diligently to create a transparent, efficient, and corruption-free tolling system that benefits all road users.”
This announcement is a pivotal step toward modernizing India’s highway infrastructure and is poised to significantly improve the ease of travel for millions. The proposed MLFF toll system embodies a future where technology resolves the challenges of road travel, enhancing safety and efficiency nationwide.
