The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has officially launched the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at the Gharaunda toll plaza on the Panipat–Jalandhar section of National Highway-44. This marks a major shift from conventional toll plazas, as vehicles can now pass through tolling points without stopping, significantly reducing congestion and eliminating waiting times.
How MLFF Tolling Works
The MLFF system uses advanced Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) technology, with high-performance sensors and cameras mounted on overhead gantries. These automatically identify vehicles and deduct user fees through FASTag, allowing uninterrupted travel at highway speeds. The overhead gantries provide a minimum vertical clearance of approximately 5.5 to 6 metres, ensuring smooth passage for all permitted vehicles.
Expected Benefits
By removing physical toll barriers, the MLFF system is projected to deliver substantial savings in fuel and travel time. Eliminating the need for repeated braking, idling, and acceleration at toll plazas lowers fuel consumption and reduces vehicle emissions, enabling faster, smoother journeys for commuters across the highway network.
Enforcement and Compliance
To maintain smooth traffic flow and operational efficiency, strict enforcement measures have been implemented. Parking, encroachments, and unauthorised stoppages are prohibited within 200 metres on either side of the MLFF tolling zone. Route Patrol Vehicles (RPVs) and local enforcement agencies will actively monitor the stretches to prevent violations such as wrong-side driving, number plate tampering, and toll evasion.
E-Notice Mechanism for Failed Payments
NHAI has introduced a structured e-Notice mechanism for instances where toll payment is not successfully processed through FASTag, including cases of insufficient balance, inactive tags, or tag-related issues. This ensures revenue protection while maintaining transparency and convenience for road users.
Advisory for Highway Users
NHAI has advised all highway users to maintain sufficient balance in their FASTag accounts at all times and ensure their tags remain active and properly affixed on vehicle windshields. This will help avoid any disruptions and ensure seamless tolling.
