Barrier-Less Toll Plazas on Highways: NHAI Flags Rise in Unidentified Vehicle Scans
In addition to the challenges faced by India regarding barrier-free toll payment on national highways, a new problem has arisen due to an increasing number of vehicles going through Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll booths without identification. NHAI and MoRTH are considering solutions that can help in identifying such unidentified vehicles and avoiding toll payment.
As per a report that was published on November 10, 2026, at least one in ten vehicles crossing Shahjahanpur toll booth in Delhi-Jaipur stretch of NH-48 in Rajasthan falls in the category of unidentified vehicles.
Why Are Vehicles Going Unidentified?
MLFF uses ANPR cameras as well as FASTag readers. A car is identified through the registration number and matched to FASTag attached to it. Thus, the system reduces the applicable toll and doesn’t demand any waiting of cars before any barrier.
In case the number plate and FASTag are covered or missing or even not readable, it becomes difficult to identify a vehicle. Even fake number plates pose an obstacle in the process. Similarly, mismatching of numbers with FASTag also poses challenges.
As many as 99,500 unidentified vehicles have been reported from Manoharpura, Rajasthan among 31.74 lakh vehicles by October 21. At Shahjahanpur, approximately 2.60 lakh unidentified vehicles were counted out of nearly 24 lakh vehicles.
Security and Revenue Concerns
This problem is not just about collecting tolls. The officials fear that unidentified vehicles can be used to commit acts like smuggling, illegal sand mining, etc. The government is also looking at whether such vehicles can help firms dodge GST by preventing proper tracking of their movements.
Moreover, unidentified entries also lead to losses of money for NHAI and banks as there is no effective system to collect toll fees from unidentified vehicles.
NHAI Considers Penalties and AI-Based Tracking
Government authorities are in discussions about enforcing measures that include punishment of more than double the toll amount in some cases, as well as registering FIRs in some cases.
NHAI is working on creating an internal portal to spot any suspicious vehicles as well as providing the necessary data to concerned departments. Authorities are investigating the possibility of using artificial intelligence technology to match vehicle models and colors from the VAHAN database with FASTag.
This can prove to be useful in identifying vehicles through various toll plazas, including physical toll plazas.
Expansion of Barrier-Less Tolling
MLFF is already in use at seven toll plazas in Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. Contracts for other sites have been allotted while tenders have been floated for 104 other plazas.
According to The Economic Survey 2025-26, barrier-free tolling is likely to become operational on four-lane and wider national highways and expressways by March 2029.
Nevertheless, effective identification of vehicles and better enforcement shall continue to be necessary so that fast movement along highways does not entail loss of revenue and security.
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