Paranur Toll Plaza to Get Barrier-Free Toll Collection from October 1: NHAI

Motorists travelling on the GST Road near Chengalpattu are set to get faster passage through the Paranur toll plaza, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introducing the Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system from zero hours on October 1, 2026.

Paranur will become the first user fee plaza in Tamil Nadu to implement fully automated, barrier-free toll collection on National Highways.

FASTag and ANPR Technology

Under the MLFF system, vehicles will no longer need to stop or slow down at conventional toll booths. RFID readers will detect the vehicle`s FASTag, while Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will capture and identify the vehicle registration number.

The FASTag and vehicle registration details will be matched automatically, allowing the applicable toll amount to be deducted from the linked FASTag account.

Faster Travel on GST Road

The new system is expected to reduce toll plaza queues and waiting time, particularly on the busy GST Road connecting Chennai with southern Tamil Nadu.

With smoother vehicle movement, the MLFF system is also expected to help reduce fuel consumption, travel delays and vehicle emissions caused by idling at toll plazas.

NHAI officials have stated that the combination of FASTag-based RFID detection and ANPR technology will improve toll collection accuracy. ANPR will also act as a backup when FASTag detection is unsuccessful.

More MLFF Toll Plazas Planned

Following the Paranur rollout, NHAI is expected to introduce the MLFF system at Nemili near Sriperumbudur and Chennasamudaram near Wallajah on the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway after trial operations.

NHAI has also invited bids to replace conventional toll plazas on the Chennai Bypass, connecting Tambaram and Puzhal through Maduravoyal, with a Multi Lane Free Flow toll collection system.

The introduction of MLFF at Paranur is expected to mark a significant change in toll collection on Tamil Nadu`s busy National Highway corridors.