No more stopping at toll plazas: MLFF system to go live nationwide by end of 2026

Union minister Nitin Gadkari announces rollout of multi-lane free flow tolling, promising faster travel, fuel savings and transparent toll collection across national highways.

Highway travel in India is set for a major transformation, with commuters no longer required to stop or slow down at toll plazas by the end of 2026. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that the government will roll out the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll system across national highways within this timeline.

Speaking on Wednesday, Gadkari said the new system will allow vehicles to pass toll points seamlessly, even at speeds of up to 80 kmph. Instead of physical barriers, overhead cameras will scan vehicle number plates, and the applicable user fee will be automatically deducted from the vehicle’s FASTag account.

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The minister said the announcement was made in the Rajya Sabha, adding that motorists would be free from the inconvenience of stopping or queuing at toll booths once MLFF is fully implemented.

Alongside MLFF, Gadkari highlighted the success of the FASTag annual pass, launched in August, which permits private vehicles to cross up to 200 toll plazas. According to him, over 40 lakh private car owners have already subscribed to the scheme, calling it a major relief for frequent highway users.

The government estimates that the MLFF system will result in fuel savings worth ₹1,500 crore, while also boosting toll revenue by ₹6,000 crore. Gadkari said the new mechanism would make toll collection transparent and corruption-free, reducing human intervention.

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He also revealed that a new compliance system is being developed under which vehicle owners must clear all pending dues, including unpaid toll fees and e-challans, at the time of vehicle sale or registration renewal.

On highway development priorities, Gadkari said the government is now focusing more on greenfield highways, which help cut travel time and lower logistics costs. Citing a recent study by IIM Bengaluru, IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras, he said India’s logistics cost on roads has dropped from 16% to around 9%, placing it in the single-digit range.

The minister underlined that investment in infrastructure, roads, transport, power, water and communication, is central to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, and remains a core focus of the government

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