India's first barrier-free toll plaza live on NH48 near Surat, Gujarat
India's first barrier-free toll plaza became operational on National Highway 48 (NH48) near Surat, Gujarat, on 1 May 2025, allowing vehicles to pass through without stopping and marking a significant shift towards fully automated toll collection across the country. The Choryasi toll plaza, located on the Kamrej–Choryasi stretch between Surat and Bharuch, went live after nearly two months of testing that began on 2 February 2025.
How the Technology Works
The system is built on Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) technology, implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' broader plan to modernise tolling infrastructure. High-resolution cameras mounted on overhead gantries scan vehicle number plates using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, while RFID sensors simultaneously read FASTag details, enabling direct deduction from linked bank accounts without any manual intervention.
Vehicles can pass through the gantry at speeds of up to 80 kmph, eliminating the queues and traffic build-up that have long plagued busy highway corridors. The process is fully contactless, with no physical barriers at any point.
What NHAI Officials Said
A.R. Chitransi, Chief Operating Officer of NHAI, explained the mechanics of the new system.
