In a significant initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion at toll plazas, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to implement a camera-based automatic toll collection system along crucial segments of the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway and GST Road.
The innovative system, referred to as Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), will substitute traditional toll booths with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that are integrated with the FASTag platform, enabling vehicles to traverse toll points without halting.
This system is engineered to capture registration information at speeds of up to 150 km/h, with the objective of facilitating uninterrupted, congestion-free travel. The MLFF will initially be deployed at the Nemili (Sriperumbudur) and Chennasamudram toll plazas on the Chennai-Bengaluru NH, as well as at the Paranur toll plaza on the Tambaram-Villupuram segment of GST Road.
According to data from NHAI, these heavily trafficked routes accommodate approximately 75,000 passenger car units each day. Upon becoming operational, ANPR cameras will automatically log vehicle information and deduct the relevant toll from the driver’s FASTag account, thereby significantly minimizing travel duration, fuel usage, and traffic congestion.
The Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), operating under the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, will manage the implementation process. Tenders have already been issued to select an operator responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the system for a period of five years.
Officials have indicated that the six-lane main carriageway will remain entirely accessible, with overhead ANPR cameras and RFID readers strategically positioned to ensure efficient toll collection. Each camera will capture clear images of number plates and brief video clips from distances of up to 40 metres, while RFID devices will identify vehicles from as far as 300 metres prior to the toll point.
The contractor is anticipated to finalize the installation within 14 months following the issuance of the work order. Distinct procedures will be established to recover tolls in instances where automatic deductions are unsuccessful.
