In a new initiative to modernise India's highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced an unmanned tolling system at the Bakkarwala toll plaza on the Dwarka Expressway in Delhi.
This pilot project aims to eliminate traditional cash booths and human-operated barriers, replacing them with a fully automated, technology-driven process. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times, and increase transparency in toll collection by ensuring a seamless flow of vehicles.
How the System Is Designed to Work
The unmanned toll plaza is built on a three-tiered technological framework:
- FASTag Scanners: Each lane is equipped with readers that automatically scan a vehicle's FASTag as it approaches. The barrier is supposed to lift instantly once the toll amount is debited from the account.
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Cameras: High-speed cameras capture license plate details. This serves as a backup for cross-verification and to address potential issues like insufficient balance or violations.
- Sensor-Based Boom Barriers: These barriers are directly linked to the FASTag system and are designed to open only after a successful payment confirmation, ensuring a completely cashless and contactless transaction.
In theory, this system would require no on-site staff, allowing cars to pass through in a matter of seconds and preventing traffic bottlenecks.
Despite the advanced design, a visit to the Bakkarwala plaza revealed that the system is not yet operating seamlessly. The sensors frequently struggle to detect FASTags, causing delays and keeping the boom gates closed. To prevent traffic from building up, at least three staff members were deployed at each barrier. Their role is to manually override the system and assist drivers, a practice that defeats the purpose of an "unmanned" plaza.
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Motorists expressed frustration with the current setup. One commuter told India Today TV that the process was confusing, noting that the sensors don't read the FASTag immediately and staff often ask them to reverse their cars. This, they said, makes the system slower than a traditional one.
For NHAI, the Bakkarwala project is a crucial test case for transforming highways into smart corridors. An unnamed NHAI official at the site acknowledged the current issues, describing them as "teething troubles" that will be resolved over time.
If successful, this unmanned model could significantly impact India's highway infrastructure by reducing revenue leakage, minimising human error, and dramatically cutting down on congestion. For now, the Bakkarwala toll plaza functions more as a semi-automated system, with human intervention still being vital to its operation.
However, its implementation signals a clear move towards a smarter and more technology-driven future for the country's highways. The success of this pilot project will likely determine how quickly unmanned tolling becomes a standard practice nationwide.
Also Read: Trial run begins on Dwarka Expressway tunnel in Haryana
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