Surat, May 1: A significant advancement has been made in enhancing road travel in India. The Choryasi Toll Plaza, located near Surat on the Mumbai-Delhi National Highway (NH48), has become the country’s first toll plaza where vehicles can pass without stopping. This means no more braking or waiting in line at toll booths.
Situated on the Kamrej-Choryasi section between Surat and Bharuch, this toll plaza has been fully operational following a two-month trial period. The standout feature of this system is its complete barrier-free design, eliminating any physical barriers or gates that could halt vehicles.
The new setup employs Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology, implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ modern tolling initiative. The government aims to upgrade over 1,050 toll plazas across the country to similar smart and automated systems by the end of 2026.
In this system, toll collection is entirely automated. As a vehicle approaches the toll plaza, high-resolution cameras mounted on overhead gantries scan the license plate. Additionally, RFID sensors linked to FASTag read the vehicle’s information. The toll amount is then directly deducted from the owner’s bank account, eliminating the need for cash transactions or stopping.
For vehicles without a FASTag, the system can still identify them through their license plates, sending an e-notice to the registered owner with payment details.
AR Chitranshi, COO of NHAI, stated that this system is completely hassle-free. Vehicles can pass directly under the toll gantry without stopping, allowing for seamless toll deductions. This technology significantly speeds up vehicle movement, enabling cars to cross the toll at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour without halting. Consequently, it is expected to alleviate long traffic jams and congestion on highways, especially on routes that previously experienced heavy toll traffic.
This system will not only save time but also conserve fuel. It is estimated that approximately ₹15 billion in fuel could be saved annually, as vehicles will no longer need to stop frequently. Additionally, increased transparency and efficiency in toll collection could generate an extra ₹60 billion in revenue.
Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari emphasized that India is moving towards a completely barrier-free tolling system by the end of 2026. The Surat project is seen as a pilot model that will be implemented nationwide.
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