India has launched its first unmanned toll plaza at Bakkarwala on the Dwarka Expressway, aiming to make toll collection faster, cashless, and staff-free. Powered by FASTag scanners, number plate recognition cameras, and sensor-based barriers, the system is designed for vehicles to pass in seconds without human help.

But on the ground, things aren’t running as smoothly. Sensors often fail to detect FASTags instantly, leaving barriers closed and forcing commuters to wait. In many cases, staff had to step in to override the system, guide vehicles, and avoid pile-ups. Drivers shared mixed reactions, some welcomed the modernization, while others felt the delays defeated the purpose of an “unmanned” toll.

For the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), this plaza is a pilot project. Officials admit there are “teething troubles” but remain confident glitches will be fixed with time. If perfected, the model could reduce congestion, plug revenue leakages, and make Indian highways smarter and faster.

For now, though, the “unmanned” plaza remains semi-automated, more a work in progress than a finished revolution.