In a groundbreaking move, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is adopting a bank-led approach to toll collection on the recently inaugurated Dwarka Expressway. The bank’s involvement in toll collection marks a significant shift in India’s tolling system, leveraging advanced multi-lane free flow (MLFF) technology. With no physical toll plazas on this stretch, vehicles can pass freely without stopping, as sensors on gantries record vehicle data for automatic toll deduction.
How the MLFF System Works
Under this MLFF tolling model, sensors and field equipment capture each vehicle’s information and transmit it to the tolling system, which deducts the fee from the user’s Fastag wallet. Vehicles without a valid Fastag or with faulty tags are flagged by the system, and details of unpaid tolls are updated in the Vahan database—a central repository of registered vehicles.
When vehicle owners log in to the Vahan portal, they can view pending tolls, complete with evidence in the form of vehicle photos. Clearing outstanding toll dues will be required to obtain NOC and fitness certificates, making toll compliance easier to track and enforce.
Enhanced Transparency with Banking Partnership
The NHAI has invited bids for selecting an acquirer bank that will oversee the toll collection for three years, with the rights awarded to the bank offering the highest revenue share. Although banks generally lack experience in direct toll collection, they can sub-contract firms with MLFF expertise for efficient execution. Sub-contractors must demonstrate MLFF experience spanning at least 200 km and 10 years, ensuring that the system operates smoothly from the start.
The bank-led approach is anticipated to offer a more transparent and secure tolling process, as banks are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This regulation minimizes revenue leakage, ensuring accurate and timely toll collections.
Future of MLFF Tolling on Indian Highways
This pilot MLFF project on the 28-km Dwarka Expressway, where only vehicles crossing the Delhi-Gurgaon border tolling point will pay a user fee, may serve as a model for future greenfield expressways in India. NHAI aims to extend MLFF tolling to additional expressways, reducing congestion, pollution, and promoting faster, hassle-free travel.
By harnessing digital tolling and banking transparency, NHAI’s partnership signifies a new era for India’s highways. As the Dwarka Expressway rollout progresses, successful implementation could set the stage for a fully digital tolling network nationwide, redefining the travel experience on India’s expressways.
