MCD approves barrierless toll system at Delhi borders to reduce traffic congestion
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Thursday approved a proposal to amend its toll tax bye-laws, paving the way for a barrierless toll collection system across Delhi's borders, including major entry points at Rajokri, Ghazipur, and Shahdara. The decision grants the civic body the legal power to issue digital challans and recover unpaid dues from commercial vehicles evading toll taxes.
The changes to the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Toll Tax) Bye-Laws, 2007, will facilitate the rollout of the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system. Under the new framework, commercial vehicles will pass through border points without halting at physical barriers. Overhead gantries equipped with RFID readers, sensors, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will automatically read FASTags and vehicle registration numbers to deduct toll charges.
MCD has already floated tenders to select contractors for the MLFF system, with the bidding process scheduled to conclude by June 30. The first phase of the rollout will make 20 major plazas barrier-free by October, ahead of Delhi's winter pollution season. The remaining toll points across 156 border locations are expected to be upgraded by December 2026.
The first phase will cover key border crossings, including Rajokri, Ghazipur (Main and Old), Shahdara (Main and Flyover), Kundli, Tikri, Aya Nagar, Kalindi Kunj, Kapashera, the DND Flyway, and the Badarpur-Faridabad crossings.
Currently, private contractors halt all commercial vehicles at border checkpoints to collect tolls, which frequently causes long traffic queues. The transition to a barrierless system is expected to significantly ease congestion and reduce idling times, thereby lowering vehicular emissions. This initiative follows directions from the Supreme Court, which had previously suggested suspending toll collections during peak winter pollution episodes to curb emissions from idling vehicles.
To handle toll evasion, the amended bye-laws introduce strict enforcement measures. If a commercial vehicle passes through without a valid RFID tag or has insufficient balance in its FASTag-linked account, an electronic notice or e-challan will be automatically generated.
The vehicle owner must clear the unpaid toll and any applicable penalties within 72 hours. If the payment is not made within this timeframe, the MCD will issue an electronic warrant of distress. This warrant will authorize officials to intercept and impound the vehicle to recover the outstanding dues. Existing rules allow for penalties of up to five times the unpaid toll amount.
The proposed amendments will now be forwarded to the Delhi government for final notification.
