Barrier-free tolling: How FASTag & number plates will auto-collect toll

A few years ago, India introduced FASTag to make toll collection across its highways and expressways digital and cashless. Now, it is looking to make the process barrier-free or toll plaza free. Imagine zipping through highways and not stopping at toll points, but instead a system that will automatically cut toll from your FASTag.The government is rolling out the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology on national highways.Barrier-free tolling is seen as the next step after FASTag. While FASTag made toll payments digital, vehicles still need to slow down and pass through toll lanes and barriers.With barrier-free tolling, vehicles can move through at normal highway speeds while cameras and FASTag systems identify the vehicle and collect the toll automatically.Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that the aim is to make toll booths on national highways barrier-free by March 2027.