Indian national highways will be technologically upgraded next year with the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll system and AI-driven highway management, said Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday.
Responding to supplementaries during the question hour in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said the new technology will be AI-based and eliminate wait time at toll plazas for commuters.
“The multi-lane free flow toll (MLFF) is a very good facility. Earlier, we had to pay at the toll, and it would take 3 to 10 minutes; then, due to FastTag, the time has come down to 60 seconds or less. Our income has increased by at least ₹5,000 crore. After MLFF came, replacing FastTag, cars can now cross the toll at a maximum of 80 km per hour, and no one will be stopped at the toll,” he said in the House.
Also Read: India to get barrier-free highway toll system in a year: Gadkari
With number plate recognition done through satellites, AI and FastTag, the elimination of waiting time at toll plazas will help save fuel worth ₹1,500 crore and add ₹6,000 crore to the government revenue, he added.
“By 2026, we will complete this work 100 per cent, and once this task is complete, our income will help save ₹1,500 crore, and our income will further rise by another ₹6,000 crore, and toll theft will end. There will be no problems, and people will not have to stop at the toll plaza,” Gadkari said.
The minister said the government is trying to “make the system transparent and corruption-free,” but rued that while it is only responsible for national highways, people often complain about state highways or city roads.
Follow us
