Syllabus:

GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc. 

Context: 

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is planning to introduce a Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at 25 National Highway fee plazas during the current financial year.

More on the News

• India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system will come up at Choryasi Fee Plaza in Gujarat on National Highway 48. 
• For this, the Indian Highways Management Company (IHMCL), under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has entered into an agreement with ICICI Bank. 
• Additionally, an agreement was also signed with ICICI Bank for the implementation of MLFF at Gharaunda Fee Plaza in Haryana on NH-44.
• This is part of the mega plan under which NHAI plans to roll out MLFF-based tolling at around 25 National Highway fee plazas during the current financial year. 

Multi-Lane Free Flow Tolling System

• The Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling is a barrier-less tolling system.
• It enables transactions through reading of FASTag and Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) by High-performance RFID Readers and ANPR Cameras.
• It aims at improving toll revenue collection and creating a smarter, faster and more efficient National Highway (NH) network across the country.

Advantages of the MLFF Tolling System 

• Seamless and Faster Travel: Vehicles can pass through toll points at highway speeds, eliminating the need to slow down or stop, which saves time and makes journeys more predictable. 

• For logistics and freight transport, it leads to faster turnaround times and improved efficiency in supply chains. 

• Reduced Fuel Consumption and Emissions: By minimizing braking and acceleration cycles at toll plazas, MLFF systems contribute to lower fuel consumption and a reduction in air pollution.

• Lower Operational Costs: Eliminating physical toll booths and the associated infrastructure reduces construction, operation, and maintenance costs for toll plazas. 

• Increased Road Safety: By preventing the stop-and-go traffic and potential bottlenecks at toll plazas, the system contributes to a safer and more efficient roadway. 

• Enhanced Toll Revenue: The system's efficient electronic collection mechanism improves accuracy and reduces potential leakage, leading to better toll revenue for the government. 

National Highways in India 

• Currently, the country has a road network spanning over 63 lakh km. Of this, the total length of National Highways (NH) stands at 1,46,342 km.

• India ranks second in total road length, but NH density per area and per capita is still lower than in developed countries. 

• This marks a significant expansion from 91,287 km in March 2014, an increase of 55,055 km in the National Highway network over the past decade.

• As of November 2023, India has a total of 599 National Highways. 

• The road transport sector contributes around 4% of India’s GDP.

Sources:

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/25-national-highway-toll-plazas-to-get-multi-lane-free-flow-system-10222077/ https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2162163 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/nhai-launches-indias-first-multi-lane-free-flow-mlff-tolling-system-in-gujarat/articleshow/123604053.cms?from=mdr