Toll Gates On Highways Going Away Within A Year, Says Nitin Gadkari
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that physical toll gates on national highways will be removed within the next 12 months. The new Multi-Lane Free Flow Electronic Toll Collection system will ensure that vehicles pass through toll points at highway speeds without stopping, slowing down, or shifting lanes.
How the New Toll System Works
The upgrade combines the existing FASTag setup with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras powered by AI. Overhead gantries at toll locations capture registration numbers and match them to FASTag accounts for automatic toll deduction.
FASTag has been mandatory on all vehicles since 2021 and is linked to a prepaid wallet or bank account. The new system does not require dedicated lanes and allows any vehicle to pass through freely. Vehicles without valid FASTag balance will be tracked using ANPR, and notices will be sent to registered owners.
Impact on Traffic and User Experience
This barrier‑free setup is expected to significantly reduce congestion at toll plazas, improving traffic flow and cutting fuel waste from long queues and stop‑start driving. Reduced idling will also help lower emissions, especially around busy toll hubs.
Commercial fleet operators could benefit as well, with fewer delays, easier tracking and lower overheads related to toll operations. The system is already live at select pilot routes, and early results show improved efficiency.
Rollout, Enforcement and Data Concerns
The government has already awarded contracts for the next phase of rollout and plans to expand the new tolling system in stages over the coming year. The transition will involve building ANPR infrastructure, staff training and integration with FASTag databases.
Authorities will need strong enforcement to handle cases of damaged, obscured or fake number plates. Data handling policies for vehicle movement information will also require clear rules on storage, access and privacy.
What Drivers Should Expect
In the coming months, traditional toll plazas will increasingly be replaced by simplified gantry structures with cameras and sensors. Drivers will receive automatic toll deduction alerts on their phones.
The shift places more responsibility on motorists to keep FASTag accounts funded and number plates clean. Once fully implemented, highway travel is expected to feel smoother and less stressful for everyone.
