Delhi-NCR Gets First Barrier-Free Toll Collection System
Delhi-NCR has introduced its first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less toll collection system at the Mundka-Bakkarwala toll plaza on Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II). The advanced tolling system was inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, marking a significant step towards modern electronic toll collection in India.
With the new system, vehicles no longer need to stop at toll booths for payment. All 24 boom barriers at the toll plaza have been removed, and traditional toll displays and FASTag scanners have been replaced with high-tech gantries equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and advanced RFID FASTag readers.
This technology enables toll charges to be automatically deducted while vehicles continue moving at speeds of 80 to 100 kilometers per hour. Drivers passing through the toll plaza on the first day were surprised to find toll workers guiding them to keep moving without stopping.
Officials expect the new MLFF system to reduce traffic congestion, fuel wastage, and waiting times at toll plazas. According to Minister Nitin Gadkari, the operational cost of running toll plazas is projected to decrease significantly, from around 15 percent to nearly 4 percent.
The UER-II highway, officially known as NH-344M, spans 75.7 kilometers and connects Mahipalpur to Alipur in Delhi, serving as an important route for commuters in the Delhi-NCR region.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has stated that this barrier-less tolling system is part of a larger nationwide initiative to modernize toll collection infrastructure. The Economic Survey 2025-26 has projected the implementation of MLFF systems on all four-lane and larger national highways by March 2029.
Officials also clarified that vehicles with insufficient FASTag balances or invalid registration details may receive electronic notices and penalties if toll charges remain unpaid. The government believes this new system will enhance commuter convenience while ensuring efficient toll collection throughout the country.
