Toll Tax: Huge relief for lakhs of people! Residents living within a 20 km radius will no longer have to pay the toll repeatedly..

Relief from long queues and the hassle of repeated toll payments at toll plazas across the country is on the horizon. The central government is preparing to upgrade the toll plaza system with advanced technology. As part of this initiative, a digital e-pass service may be introduced for residents living near toll plazas, eliminating the need for them to pay the toll tax repeatedly.

The government aims to make toll collection faster, transparent, and entirely digital. In line with this, barrier-free toll systems are being rapidly expanded. Once the new system is implemented, vehicles will no longer need to stop at toll plazas, making travel much smoother.

**Special facility for locals**
The government plans to issue special digital passes for individuals residing within a 20-kilometer radius of a toll plaza. These passes will be directly linked to FASTags, allowing residents to pass through toll plazas without interruption. It is expected that both monthly and annual pass options will be made available, with pricing kept affordable for the public. This move could provide significant relief to thousands of people who commute through toll plazas daily.

**Cheaper than the existing ₹350 pass**

According to an *Indian Express* report, current National Highway rules allow non-commercial vehicle owners living near toll plazas to purchase a monthly pass for ₹350. This pass permits unlimited crossings at the specific toll plaza within a month. Currently, obtaining this pass requires a physical visit to the toll plaza, and it must be presented during travel.

Officials note that under the new MLFF (Multi-Lane Free-Flow Tolling) process, the previous practice—where locals could simply claim residency to pass without a formal pass—will no longer be possible; the system will automatically issue an e-notice if a vehicle passes without a valid pass. To address this, the government is preparing to introduce digital monthly and annual passes for residents living within a 20-kilometer radius of toll plazas, with residency verification conducted using Aadhaar numbers. This digital pass will be available on the 'Rajmarg' portal. While its price has not yet been finalized, officials indicate it could be cheaper than the existing ₹350 pass. Once obtained, residents will be able to make unlimited trips through the designated toll plaza. Additionally, the government is working towards implementing the MLFF system at more toll plazas.

**What is the barrier-free toll system?**
Under the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology, traditional barriers at toll plazas are unnecessary. Cameras and sensors installed on the road read the vehicle's FASTag and automatically deduct the toll tax. The entire process takes just a few seconds, eliminating the need for vehicles to stop. If a toll payment fails, the system can automatically issue a notice. The objective of this technology is to reduce traffic congestion and save travel time. Currently, this system is operational at select toll plazas across the country, and preparations are underway to expand it on a larger scale.

**Integration with FASTag**
Under the new system, the digital pass and FASTag will be linked. The eligibility of local residents will be verified digitally. Subsequently, they will be issued a special pass, enabling seamless movement through toll plazas in the designated sector.

The government believes this will ensure better compliance with toll regulations and curb unauthorized exemptions or the misuse of privileges. It will also make the toll collection system more transparent.

**Rollout across multiple states**
The government is preparing to introduce the MLFF system at numerous new toll plazas in the near future. Plans are in place to implement this technology in several states, including Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Work on a large number of new projects for this purpose has already commenced.
Experts believe this move will further modernize the country's highway network. It will save commuters' time, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the efficiency of the toll collection process.

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