India Tests ANPR-FASTag Based Barrier-Less Tolling System On Key Highway Corridors As Satellite Model Remains On Hold

While a satellite-based tolling system is still under consideration, India’s highway infrastructure is already entering a transitional phase with a hybrid tolling model that combines Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and FASTag.

This approach is being piloted to enable barrier-free, multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll collection on selected National Highway stretches.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (30 July), the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that a full satellite-based user fee system is not operational on any National Highway, and further deliberations on the system are ongoing due to concerns around security, privacy, and operational control.

In the interim, the ministry has approved corridor-based projects that implement ANPR-FASTag System (AFS) to facilitate free-flow tolling without requiring vehicles to stop, slow down, or move into fixed lanes.

"It has been decided to proceed with Corridor/Stretch- based projects for the implementation of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) FASTag System (AFS)-based Barrier Less Free Flow tolling," Gadkari said in the written reply.

"To increase the efficiency of the Tolling operation and in order to ensure seamless and free-flow movement of vehicles along national highways without physical fee (toll) plazas, the Government has decided to implement barrier-free Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) System with available technology at selected sections of National Highways as an added facility along with FASTag where the user fee shall be charged from the vehicle users without having to stop, slow down or stay in a given fee plaza lane," Gadkari added.

He further said that request for Proposal (RFP) to implement barrier-less tolling system has been invited or finalised for the Fee Plazas, with the possibility of implementing it on other fee plazas in a phased manner depending upon the outcome and efficacy of the implementation on these projects.

According to the minister, the following toll plazas have been selected for the pilot phase

• Choryasi (NH-8, Bharuch–Surat) – Project awarded

• Gharaunda (NH-44, Panipat–Jalandhar) – Bid under evaluation

• Nemili (NH-48, Walajapet–Poonamallee) – Bid under evaluation

• Bijwasan and Panchgaon (NH-248BB, Dwarka Expressway) – Bids invited

• Manoharpura, Shahjahanpur, Daulatpura (NH-48, Delhi–Jaipur) – Bids invited

• UER-II (NH-344M & NH-344N, Urban Extension Road-II) – Under re-bidding

Selection of these locations was based on factors such as geographic location, traffic volume, lane configuration, and congestion, the minister said.

To handle violations and toll defaulters in the new system, the government plans to issue electronic notices (e-notices) under the provisions of the National Highways Fee Rules.

For dispute resolution, users will have access to:

• e-notice portal developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC)

• National Highways Helpline 1033

• Email: falsededuction@ihmcl.com

• Support from FASTag issuer banks

• The RajmargYatra mobile app

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