Delhi commuters may soon breeze through toll points without stopping. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) plans to launch barrier-free tolling at nine highway entry points by the end of October.
Nine Points, One Big Change
The selected locations include DND Flyway, Rajokri, Kundli, Badarpur and Ghazipur, among others. These corridors witness heavy daily traffic. Officials admit completing work within six weeks will be challenging.
NHAI Clearance Still Awaited
The project hinges on a crucial approval. A joint survey with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials was conducted last week. However, actual construction cannot begin without an NHAI no objection certificate. NHAI has not yet commented on the pending clearance.
Who Bears the Cost
Motorists will continue paying tolls, but the collection method will change. Contractor Sahakar Global will fund the entire infrastructure, including gantries and equipment. The company’s investment is estimated at nearly ₹200 crore.
In return, MCD expects annual revenue of about ₹964 crore. This covers all 154 toll plazas under its jurisdiction.
Among the nine points, Ghazipur poses the biggest hurdle. Situated on the Delhi Meerut Expressway, it handles heavy inflow from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Construction here may worsen existing congestion, officials caution.
Part of a Larger National Push
Delhi’s initiative aligns with a nationwide plan. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has set March 2027 as the deadline for barrier free tolling across all national highways. He said the move could generate ₹20,000-25,000 crore annually through FASTag-based collection.
Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, Gadkari noted FASTag adoption has boosted toll collections nationally by 10 percent. Total toll revenue has crossed ₹82,000 crore, he added. Over 70 percent of toll booths are expected to go barrier free by December.
FASTag penetration at national highways has now crossed 98 percent. Around 13 crore FASTags have been issued so far, Gadkari said.
The new system combines FASTag with automatic number plate recognition technology, replacing physical barriers. This has reportedly cut average waiting time from 12 minutes per vehicle. Fuel savings are estimated at over ₹5,250 crore annually.
MCD aims to extend free flow tolling to all 154 plazas by year-end. The nine highway points launching next month mark only the first phase.
