- Why in news
- On 1 July 2026, NHAI announced the launch of Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling at Manoharpura Toll Plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur section of NH-48 in Rajasthan. Rajasthan's first MLFF site, Daulatpura, began on 19 June 2026.
- What it is
- Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) is a barrier-less tolling system on National Highways. Vehicles pass toll points without stopping, and the fee is collected electronically. It combines number plate recognition cameras with FASTag-based Electronic Toll Collection.
- Where launched
- MLFF went live at Manoharpura Toll Plaza on the Delhi-Jaipur section of NH-48 in Rajasthan.
- Rajasthan's first
- Rajasthan's first MLFF system was rolled out at Daulatpura Toll Plaza on 19 June 2026. Shahjahanpur plaza is planned next.
- Technology
- The system links ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) with FASTag-based Electronic Toll Collection.
- E-Notice rule
- Users with low balance or an invalid FASTag get an E-Notice and must pay the normal fee within 72 hours.
- Penalty
- If not paid after 72 hours, the fee is charged at twice the normal rate for the vehicle category.
- Payment channels
- E-Notices can be paid through the designated Parivahan portal and the Rajmargyatra App.
- Location
- First MLFF toll is at Chorayasi Toll Plaza, Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48, Gujarat.
- E-Notice
- Users with low balance or an invalid FASTag get an E-Notice and must pay the normal fee within 72 hours.
- Consequence of non-payment
- Unpaid E-Notices may lead to FASTag blacklisting and restriction of other vehicle services through VAHAN.
- Implementing agency
- NHAI, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, runs National Highway toll collection.
- Where
- The first MLFF system is at Chorayasi Toll Plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat.
- Expected benefits
- It is expected to cut travel time, decongest highways, save fuel, lower emissions and reduce human intervention in toll operations.
- Ministry
- It is run under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, which announced the launch.
- Payment modes
- Only FASTag or UPI are accepted for user fee payment at National Highway fee plazas.
- Exempt areas
- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry are not covered yet because of the Model Code of Conduct during elections.
- Nodal ministry
- The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways issued the announcement; NHAI collects fees on National Highways.
- MLFF technology
- MLFF uses number plate recognition cameras with FASTag-based electronic toll collection, so vehicles need not stop.
Don’t confuse with MLFF vs FASTag-only plazas: FASTag plazas still have barriers and lanes where vehicles slow or stop. MLFF has no barriers and vehicles do not stop.
Don’t confuse with MLFF vs FASTag ETC: FASTag uses RFID at a plaza with barriers or lanes; MLFF is barrier-less and adds ANPR cameras so vehicles need not stop.
Don’t confuse with ANPR vs RFID: ANPR reads number plates through cameras; RFID reads the FASTag tag by radio.
Don’t confuse with MLFF vs FASTag: FASTag is the RFID tag and payment method. MLFF is the barrier-less toll system that uses FASTag along with number plate cameras.
Don’t confuse with FASTag vs MLFF: FASTag is an RFID-based prepaid tag for electronic payment at toll plazas. MLFF is a barrier-less system that uses it together with cameras.
Don’t confuse with FASTag vs UPI: FASTag is linked to the vehicle windscreen tag and its account. UPI is an instant interbank mobile payment system run by NPCI.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Zero waiting time saves time and fuel and cuts vehicle emissions at toll locations.
- Removes the need for physical toll plazas, lowering operational costs and improving transparency.
- Barrier-less tolling cuts congestion, travel time, fuel use and vehicular emissions.
- It improves transparency and lowers the cost of building and running toll plazas.
- Removes stops at toll plazas, saving time and fuel and lowering emissions.
- Supports digitisation and transparency in toll collection and faster logistics movement.
- Cuts cash handling, leakage and delays at plazas, and improves transparency.
- Builds the base for barrier-less MLFF tolling and better fuel efficiency.
Problems
- Users must keep sufficient FASTag balance, or face E-Notices and a double fee.
- Depends on accurate number plate reading and working FASTags, which can raise disputes.
- Vehicles with low balance or invalid FASTag depend on E-Notice recovery, which can cause disputes and leakage.
- Camera-based reading needs clear, standard number plates and raises data privacy concerns.
- Vehicles without valid FASTag or with unreadable plates may escape or dispute charges, so enforcement and recovery need a strong system.
- Camera-based tracking raises data privacy and surveillance concerns.
- Users without FASTag or smartphones, and weak network at remote plazas, may face problems.
- Phasing is uneven, since five regions are exempt during elections.
Way forward
- Extend MLFF in phases to other busy corridors, as planned for Shahjahanpur.
- Make E-Notice payment easy through the portal and app, with clear user awareness.
- Scale up in phases after reviewing performance at Chorayasi, with strong grievance redressal.
- Enforce high-security number plates and set data protection safeguards for tolling images.
- Link number plate recognition with e-challan and vehicle registration databases to recover dues.
- Set clear data protection rules and a grievance process before scaling to more highways.
- Keep help desks and easy FASTag recharge options for users.
- Extend the system to the exempt regions after the elections and scale up MLFF with strong enforcement against non-payment.
Put in your answer
First-day usage: About 41,500 vehicles crossed the MLFF toll location on day one.
Stated benefits: NHAI says MLFF will reduce congestion, improve travel time, enhance fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Digital-only tolling: Digital-only plazas can be cited as an example of e-governance and digital payments reform in highway infrastructure.
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q6Technology behind electronic toll collection; its advantages, limitations, and transition hazards
- 2013Mains GS2 · Q13Whether electronic cash transfer for welfare schemes reduces corruption and wastage
- 2004Prelims Q144Which statements about smart cards, digital technology, and digital libraries are correct.
- 2017Prelims Q80What M-STrIPES refers to in news about highways; its highway security link
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
With reference to the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system launched by NHAI on National Highway-48 in Gujarat, consider the following statements:
Which one of the following statements is correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The first MLFF tolling system in India has been launched at a toll plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat.
True. Chorayasi Toll Plaza, Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48.
2.MLFF tolling relies on Automatic Number Plate Recognition together with FASTag-based electronic toll collection.
True. ANPR plus FASTag-based ETC.
3.If an E-Notice is not complied with after the stipulated time, the user fee is charged at twice the normal rate of the vehicle category.
True. Twice the normal rate after 72 hours.
4.Non-payment of E-Notices under MLFF can lead to restriction of other vehicle-related services through the VAHAN platform.
True. FASTag blacklisting and VAHAN service restrictions are possible.
5.Users can raise grievances against an E-Notice only after paying the penalty fee.
False. Grievances can be raised within 72 hours of issuance of the E-Notice.
6.Toll collection on National Highways is carried out by the National Highways Authority of India, which functions under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
True. NHAI is under MoRTH.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
10 marks · 150 words
NHAI has launched India's first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at Chorayasi on NH-48 in Gujarat, building on FASTag-based electronic toll collection. Discuss the benefits of barrier-less tolling for National Highway users and operations, and examine the challenges in implementing it across the National Highway network.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.