Uninterrupted Paranur Tollgate: Tamil Nadu's first booth-less toll plaza

The Paranur Toll Plaza near Chengalpattu has introduced a fully automated toll collection system, allowing vehicles to pass through without stopping at toll booths. The Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) system became operational from midnight on October 1, 2026, making Paranur the first toll plaza in Tamil Nadu to adopt a completely barrier-free toll collection system, according to the report.

The new system is expected to reduce waiting time and traffic congestion for motorists travelling on the Chennai - Trichy National Highway.

Paranur Toll Plaza, located on the GST Road, is a busy toll point connecting Chennai with southern districts. Around 46,500 vehicles reportedly pass through the toll plaza every day.

The MLFF system has been introduced ahead of the Gandhi Jayanti weekend and the upcoming festive season, when traffic on the GST Road is expected to increase.

How Does the New MLFF System Work?

Under the new system, the existing toll booths have been removed and replaced with tall gantries equipped with RFID readers, radar scanners, surveillance cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Vehicles fitted with valid FASTag accounts can pass through the toll plaza without stopping. The RFID readers scan the FASTag as the vehicle approaches the tolling point.

The RFID system and AI-enabled ANPR cameras identify the vehicle and its FASTag account, allowing the applicable toll amount to be automatically deducted from the linked account.

If a FASTag does not work, the ANPR cameras can capture the vehicle registration number and help facilitate toll collection through an alternative process. Vehicles travelling without FASTag or with insufficient balance may be subject to penalties as per the applicable rules.

How Will It Reduce Traffic Congestion?

With the Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling system, vehicles do not need to stop or significantly slow down at the toll plaza. This is expected to reduce queues and improve traffic movement on the highway.

The system can also help reduce travel time, fuel consumption and vehicle emissions associated with vehicles waiting at conventional toll plazas. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also indicated that the system can reduce some of the maintenance requirements associated with conventional toll plazas.

Other Toll Plazas to Get MLFF System

Following the implementation at Paranur, the MLFF system is planned for other toll plazas on the Chennai - Bengaluru National Highway, including Nemili near Sriperumbudur and Chennasamudram near Walajah, after trial runs.

NHAI has also invited bids to introduce the advanced toll collection system at toll plazas on the Chennnnai Bypass, which connects Tambaram and Puzhal through Maduravoyal.