Authorities said the system will cut waiting time at toll locations and smooth traffic flow, yielding substantial fuel savings and lower vehicular emissions. The rollout is projected to save nearly two point five billion litres of fuel annually and reduce roughly 81,000 t of carbon emissions, contributing to pollution mitigation in the capital region. The technology is described as adhering to international standards after consultations with providers and stakeholders.
Officials indicated that toll collection operations previously incurred nearly 15 per cent in operational expenditure and that under MLFF, this is expected to fall to around three to four per cent. The reduction could deliver annual savings of about Rs 50-60 bn while also strengthening toll transparency and revenue mobilisation. The system aims to lower logistics costs and improve operational efficiency across the national highway network.
Technically, the MLFF integrates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) with FASTag-based Electronic Toll Collection to automate fee recovery with minimal human intervention. Users must maintain a sufficient FASTag balance and will receive an electronic notice for non-payment, with a normal fee payable within 72 hours or twice the rate thereafter; unresolved cases may lead to FASTag blacklisting and restrictions via the VAHAN platform. Grievances can be raised within the 72-hour window through the portal.
The government has signalled parallel measures such as using processed municipal waste and bio-bitumen from crop residue in road construction to reduce import dependence and pollution. Artificial intelligence tools are being incorporated into traffic monitoring and management as part of broader highway modernisation. The scheme follows an earlier MLFF launch on the Surat–Bharuch section and is positioned as a step towards a technology-driven, user-friendly national highway network.