India’s first barrier-free toll plaza opens near Surat on NH48

Surat | Gujarat — In a major leap towards fully automated highways, India’s first barrier-free toll plaza has been opened near Surat on the Mumbai-Delhi National Highway, allowing vehicles to pass without stopping and signalling the beginning of AI-driven toll collection across the country.

Located at the Choryasi stretch between Surat and Bharuch, the new system eliminates physical barriers and introduces automatic toll deduction using FASTag and advanced number-plate recognition technology.

Officials say the move is expected to save time, reduce congestion and significantly cut fuel consumption on one of India’s busiest freight corridors.

Trial success leads to public launch

The toll plaza was tested for nearly two months from February 2, including a successful trial run conducted by the National Highways team just days before its public launch.

With the commissioning complete, vehicles can now move through the toll plaza without stopping, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow.

“This is a big step towards fully automatic toll collection in the country,” officials said, highlighting the plaza as a pilot for a nationwide rollout.

AI-powered toll collection begins

The barrier-free system uses FASTag combined with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology sourced from Taiwan. High-speed cameras scan number plates and match them with FASTag accounts, deducting toll charges while vehicles are in motion.

The government aims to convert more than 1,050 toll plazas across India to this AI-based model by the end of 2026.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the initiative will transform travel and logistics across India.

“This step will improve Ease of Living for citizens and Ease of Doing Business for trade. It will give a major boost to goods movement and the logistics sector,” he said.

He added that the government under Narendra Modi is committed to building world-class, technology-driven highway infrastructure.

Relief for local commuters

To benefit residents living near the toll plaza, authorities have introduced concessional passes for motorists within a 20-km radius. A monthly pass priced at ₹350 and an annual pass at ₹3,075 are available upon submission of residence and vehicle documents.

This move aims to ease the financial burden on daily commuters who frequently use the route.

High-tech monitoring and traffic flow

The Choryasi Toll Plaza has eight operational lanes—four each for Mumbai-Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad-Mumbai traffic. To ensure safety and efficiency, 32 high-definition CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor vehicle movement.

Around 40,000 vehicles pass through the plaza every day, and the new system is expected to significantly reduce bottlenecks.

Faster travel, lower pollution

Authorities believe the barrier-free toll system will reduce waiting time, ease traffic congestion and lower vehicle emissions by eliminating long queues at toll booths.

With automation replacing manual toll collection, the project represents a crucial step in modernising India’s highway network and creating a faster, cleaner and more efficient transport ecosystem.