New Toll Tax Update: 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 fully digital. In line with this, the implementation of a barrier-free toll system is being accelerated. Once the new system is in place, vehicles will no longer need to stop at toll plazas, making travel much smoother.

**Special facility for residents**

The government plans to issue special digital passes for people living within a 20-kilometer radius of toll plazas. 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 commuters who pass through toll plazas daily.

**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, requiring no stops. 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.

**System integration with FASTag**