India’s Highways Go Smart: How Technology Is Transforming Roads and Travel

In the age of digital transformation, India’s highways are no longer just roads—they are evolving into smart corridors of connectivity. Beyond linking cities, these highways now support real-time data, communication, and decision-making, reshaping travel, logistics, and even internet access on the move.

With over 6.3 million kilometres of road, India has the world’s second-largest road network. Its National Highways have expanded from 91,287 km in 2013–14 to 1,46,204 km in 2025, a 60% increase. Managing such a vast network efficiently requires advanced digital solutions at every stage—from planning and construction to maintenance and toll collection.

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1. Digital Tolling & Payment Reforms

Digital toll plaza with FASTag sensors / Credit: PIB

India is moving from cash-based toll booths to sensor-driven, automated systems, reducing congestion, fuel wastage, and revenue leakages.

FASTag & NETC

The National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program enables seamless toll payments.
FASTag, an RFID-based device, allows automatic toll payments linked to a user account.
With 98% penetration and over 8 crore users, FASTag has revolutionized tolling across India.

FASTag Annual Pass

Offers unlimited travel for non-commercial vehicles for ₹3,000/year.
Covers 1,150 toll plazas, valid for 200 crossings.
Activated via Rajmargyatra app or NHAI website within two hours.
Over 25 lakh users and 5.67 crore transactions recorded in just two months post-launch.

Incentives for Digital Payments

Non-FASTag cash users now pay double tolls, while UPI payments cost 1.25× the standard fee.
Launched India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system on NH-48, enabling barrier-free, in-motion toll collection.

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2. Rajmargyatra: Your Highway Travel Companion

gemini generated image t06m8at06m8at06m — Rajmargyatra app screenshot / Credit: PIB

The Rajmargyatra app offers real-time information, toll integration, and safety features for highway travelers.

Key Features:

Highway and toll plaza info, nearby amenities, EV charging, live weather updates.
FASTag integration for hassle-free payments.
Speed alerts, voice assistance, and multilingual support.
Geo-tagged complaint system for potholes, hazards, or unauthorized structures.

Impact:

Ranked 23rd overall and 2nd in travel category on Google Play Store.
15 lakh downloads with a 4.5-star rating.

3. NHAI One: Streamlining Highway Operations

The NHAI One app digitizes internal operations for efficiency and accountability.

Functions:

Field staff attendance, highway maintenance, road safety audits.
Toilet upkeep and daily construction audits.
Real-time tracking with geo-tagging and time-stamping.

The platform enables faster response to issues, bridging the gap between project execution and public service.

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4. GIS & PM Gati Shakti: Smart Highway Planning

Digital mapping via GIS and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan ensures smarter, eco-friendly highway planning.

Over 550 live data layers for infrastructure, logistics, environment, and social facilities.
Entire National Highway network (~1.46 Lakh km) mapped and validated.
Optimized road alignments, faster clearances, and minimal disruption.

5. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

Tech-driven systems like Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication improve safety and efficiency.

Highlights:

Deployed on Delhi–Meerut Expressway, Trans-Haryana Expressway, Eastern Peripheral Expressway.
Faster incident detection, reduced accidents, and quicker emergency responses.
Smart boards with QR codes, network survey vehicles, and 3D/360° scanning for proactive maintenance.

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6. Green and Sustainable Highways

Green Highways Mission promotes sustainability alongside mobility.

4.69 crore trees planted along highways since 2015.
467 water bodies revived under Mission Amrit Sarovar.
Over 631 lakh metric tonnes of recycled materials used in highway construction.

Beyond Roads – Highways as Smart Networks

India’s highways are no longer just conduits for vehicles. With digital tolling, intelligent traffic systems, GIS planning, and sustainability initiatives, each kilometer now embodies connectivity, safety, and efficiency. The future of Indian highways is smarter, greener, and more transparent, transforming travel into a seamless, data-driven experience.