The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has shelved its proposal to convert the 117-km Bengaluru-Mysuru Access-Controlled Highway into a barrier-free, high-speed tolling corridor under the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system, opting instead to implement a closed, distance-based tolling mechanism across the stretch.

The decision comes after a recent technical review of the project. The NHAI officials said that the authority has decided to focus on introducing a closed tolling system with multiple entry and exit points, under which motorists will be charged based on the exact distance travelled rather than paying a fixed toll for the entire corridor.

The Bengaluru-Mysuru Access-Controlled Highway (NH-275) had earlier been identified as one of the corridors where the NHAI planned to pilot the MLFF system. A tender for the implementation of the technology had also been floated as part of efforts to transform the highway into a congestion-free corridor by eliminating physical toll plazas.

However, the proposal has now been dropped in view of the authority’s decision to introduce distance-based tolling on the highway.

“We had initiated the process for implementing the MLFF tolling system and a tender was also floated. However, it was decided to proceed with a closed, distance-based tolling system on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. Since both systems cannot be implemented simultaneously, the MLFF proposal has been kept in abeyance. Once the distance-based tolling mechanism is operational, we can evaluate the feasibility of introducing the MLFF at a later stage,” a senior NHAI official told The Hindu.

Barrier-free tolling

Under the MLFF system, conventional toll plazas would have been replaced by overhead gantries equipped with high-performance RFID FASTag readers, Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and satellite-based vehicle tracking technologies. The system enables automatic toll collection while vehicles are in motion, eliminating the need for them to stop at toll plazas.

Another official explained that the MLFF allows toll transactions through the seamless reading of FASTags and vehicle registration numbers. “The technology reduces congestion at toll plazas, saves travel time, improves fuel efficiency and helps lower vehicular emissions by removing the need for vehicles to slow down or stop for toll collection,” the official said.

India’s first MLFF tolling system was rolled out in August 2025 at the Choryasi Fee Plaza on National Highway-48 in Gujarat.

Distance-based tolling planned

The officials said that the distance-based tolling model is expected to benefit highway users significantly, particularly those making shorter trips. Under the new system, motorists entering and exiting the highway at different points will pay toll charges only for the portion of the highway they use, ensuring a fairer user-pay mechanism.