Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling pilot soon on Bengaluru–Mysuru highway

Bengaluru–Mysuru highway to pilot Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling, enhancing traffic flow with automatic toll collection technology.

In a major move towards barrier-free and congestion-free highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is exploring implementation of a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling pilot project on the 117-km-long Bengaluru–Mysuru Access-Controlled Highway (NH-275) soon.

The MLFF system replaces traditional toll booths with overhead gantries equipped with satellite-based GPS technology, high-performance RFID FASTag readers and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These systems automatically identify vehicles and deduct toll charges at high speeds without requiring vehicles to stop, aiming to eliminate long queues at toll plazas.

The project to implement the MLFF system along this corridor will be awarded to a firm through a tendering process, officials of the NHAI said. A tender has already been floated, and a few firms have submitted bids, which are currently under evaluation, the official added.

Speaking to The Hindu, NHAI’s Regional Officer (Karnataka) Vilas P. Brahmankar said the project marks a significant step towards seamless electronic tolling. “This is a major shift towards barrier-less toll collection. MLFF enables transactions through the reading of FASTag and Vehicle Registration Numbers (VRN) using high-performance RFID readers and ANPR cameras. Vehicles will no longer need to stop at toll plazas, which will reduce congestion, save travel time, improve fuel efficiency and lower vehicular emissions,” he said.

India rolled out its first MLFF tolling system in August 2025 at the Choryasi Fee Plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat. The barrier-free setup allows toll deduction while vehicles are in motion, and officials said that it will help cut congestion and improve overall traffic flow.

Another senior NHAI official told The Hindu that the Bengaluru–Mysuru project would initially function as a pilot, with existing toll plazas remaining in place for the time being.