Residents of villages near the Bastara toll plaza on National Highway 44 have voiced strong opposition to the newly installed Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system, claiming it ends a long-standing practice of free passage for locals. Under the previous system, residents could cross the plaza free of charge by showing their Aadhaar cards as proof of residence. The new barrier-free system, however, requires all vehicles to pay tolls via FASTag-based RFID readers and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, eliminating the manual exemption process.
Delegation Meets Union Minister Khattar
A delegation of affected residents met Union Minister and Karnal MP Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday at the Bastara toll plaza. They demanded either complete toll exemption for local commuters or a reduction in the monthly concession pass fee from the current Rs 350 to Rs 180 for residents living within a 20-km radius. Khattar assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed and hinted at the possibility of introducing an annual pass costing Rs 2,000 for frequent commuters.
New System Imposes Financial Burden
Residents argue that the MLFF system places an unfair financial burden on those who use the highway for short-distance travel and daily commuting. Gurpartap Virk, a resident of Gharaunda, stated, "There should be a mechanism to exempt local residents, similar to the system that existed earlier. We request the Union Ministry to exempt all local commuters from paying toll." Rajat Lather, Youth Congress district president, who was part of the delegation, highlighted the inconsistency: "At almost every other toll plaza in the region, including Panipat and Murthal, local residents are allowed free passage by showing their Aadhaar cards. The same practice existed at the Bastara toll plaza, but now locals have been asked to pay."
MLFF System Details
The MLFF system replaces conventional toll plazas with barrier-free collection. Tolls are automatically deducted via FASTag or captured through ANPR cameras. Vehicles without a valid FASTag or with insufficient balance are identified, and an e-notice is issued. Vehicle owners have 72 hours to pay the toll; failure results in double charges. Social activist JP Shekhpura blamed the government for the change, alleging, "All local commuters should be exempted from paying toll."
Memorandum Submitted to NHAI
The residents also submitted a memorandum to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and toll authorities, reiterating their demands. The delegation urged the Union Minister to either reinstate the Aadhaar-based exemption or introduce a concessional annual pass of Rs 2,000. The issue remains unresolved as locals await a formal response from the authorities.
