NHAI Rolls Out Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling at Gharaunda Toll Plaza on NH-44

📌 Summary:

• NHAI has begun rollout of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling System at Gharaunda Toll Plaza on the Panipat–Jalandhar section of NH-44
• MLFF enables toll collection without vehicles stopping or slowing, using Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) with high-performance sensors and cameras on overhead gantries that auto-identify vehicles and deduct fees via FASTag
• Benefits: zero waiting time, reduced congestion, and savings in fuel and travel time by removing repeated braking and idling at plazas
• Key features: gantry-based collection (5.5–6.0 m vertical clearance); decongested tolling zones with no parking/encroachment within 200 m on either side; enforcement via Route Patrol Vehicles (RPVs)
• Marks a shift from conventional barrier-based toll plazas toward seamless, technology-driven highway travel

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Economy (Infrastructure) — technology-led road infrastructure reform improving logistics efficiency and ease of mobility.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• MLFF is being piloted at Gharaunda Toll Plaza, Panipat–Jalandhar section, NH-44
• System uses ETC + FASTag with overhead gantries and ANPR-style cameras/sensors
• No-stoppage enforcement zone: 200 m on either side of the tolling zone

🔑 Key Term: Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling — barrier-less, gantry-based electronic tolling that deducts user fees at highway speeds without vehicles stopping.