Explained: What are ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling systems? How will they work?

Have you heard about the APNR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system? With an aim to enable smooth, barrier-free flow of cars and other vehicles through toll plazas, the authorities are planning to install these systems at select toll plazas in the country. APNR, which stands for “automatic number-plate recognition”, is a special technology that enables the detection and reading of vehicle number plates using image processing and optical character recognition (OCR).

How does it work? The ALPR technology processes images or video footage to identify plate numbers without human input or intervention.

On Friday, April 18, the road ministry clarified that it has not taken any decision regarding the nationwide implementation of satellite-based tolling from May 1, dismissing reports that such a system was due for a launch replacing current FASTag-based toll collection system already in place.

“This is to clarify that no such decision has been taken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways or National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the nationwide implementation of satellite-based tolling from 1st May 2025,” said the ministry.

Advanced tolling system to combine ANPR technology and FASTag system: Road Ministry

According to the ministry, the implementation of an “ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system” will enable:

• Seamless and barrier-free movement of vehicles
• Reduce travel time

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The system will be combining the ANPR technology and the current FASTag system, according to the ministry. While the ANPR technology will identify vehicles by capturing data about their number plates, the FASTag system will facilitate toll deduction through its radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology.

So, vehicles will be charged based on their identification through ANPR cameras and FASTag scanners, without requiring the vehicular traffic to halt at the toll plazas.

What will happen in case of non-compliance?

The ministry said that e-notices will be served to the violators in case they fail to comply with the system. After this, failure to make payments against these notices may attract penalties such as FASTag suspension.

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ANPR-FASTag barrier-less tolling news update

Highways authority NHAI has invited bids for the implementation of this system at select toll plazas.

When will it be implemented across India?

The exact date is not known at this point.

The ministry has said that a decision in this regard will be made on the basis of the “performance, efficiency and user response” to the ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less system at select toll plazas.

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