NHAI is set to introduce ‘multi lane free flow’ (MLFF) tolling in the state. The first barrier-less electronic toll collection system, allowing vehicles to pay tolls at highway speeds without stopping, will be implemented on the under-construction Aroor-Thuravoor elevated corridor. The 12.75-km elevated stretch is among more than 20 such corridors across the country where the facility will be introduced.
Soon vehicles need not stop at select toll plazas, for the national highway authority of India (NHAI) is set to introduce ‘Multi Lane Free Flow’ (MLFF) tolling in the state. The first of the barrier-less, electronic toll collection system, enabling vehicles to pay tolls at highway speeds without stopping, will come up on the under-construction elevated Aroor-Thuravoor elevated corridor.
“The 12.75-km elevated highway stretch is among the over 20 such corridors across the country where the facility will come up as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana project. Already, bidding for the same has been initiated by the NHAI headquarters. If successful, the MLFF tolling will be further introduced at the proposed toll plaza sites post the completion of the widening of several NH 66 stretches,” a senior NHAI official told TOI.
The MLFF tolling facility, costing around ₹30 crore, will come up at Eramalloor, near Moham Hospital.
“Under the system, there will be no physical toll booths or gates. Vehicles can continue to proceed at high speeds through all lanes. The toll will be deducted from prepaid accounts like FASTag using advanced sensors and digital payment systems. The facility will ensure continuous traffic flow and higher throughout, especially during peak hours,” he said.
How MLFF tolling works
Instead of toll booths, overhead gantries equipped with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers, ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, will be installed. The RFID reader will detect FASTag or similar tag at high speed, while the ANPR cameras will capture and recognize vehicle number plates. LiDAR sensors will classify vehicles by type and count axles and provide 3D vehicle profile. Toll is deducted from the user’s account in real time.
Only vehicles equipped with Fastags will be allowed to proceed through the elevated corridor. “Vehicles without valid tags are identified via ANPR for post-billing or enforcement. All transactions and vehicle data are processed and stored in backend systems. Any violation will be automatically detected, and e-notice will be issued, to the violators. The information will be handed over to the enforcement agencies like the motor vehicle department,” he added.
Meanwhile, the work of the elevated highway stretch has entered the final stage. “The last of the girder at Aroor church was installed on Wednesday evening. Now, 2,548 girders out of the total 2,566 have been set up,” an official said.
Once completed, this 12.75km stretch will hold the title of India’s longest six-lane elevated highway, surpassing the P V Narasimha Rao Expressway in Hyderabad.
