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14 clusters · 32 sources · 84 days · First seen · Last updated

India highway tolling upgrades and infrastructure projects

Overview

In late May 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued tenders for extensive highway projects across several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Assam, and Himachal Pradesh. By early June, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved multi-billion-rupee upgrades in Bihar, Odisha, and Telangana, introducing four-lane standards and hybrid-annuity financing. In mid-June, NHAI announced signal-free corridors around Delhi and introduced technology-driven guidelines for mechanised highway maintenance to improve storm-water management and pothole repair.

NHAI also launched an IIT-backed bridge design review programme to ensure structural quality and expanded monsoon-season safety monitoring in Himachal Pradesh. In July, the agency rolled out Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), barrier-free tolling on the Delhi-Jaipur stretch of NH-48, using ANPR and FASTag technology. However, a viral video of potholes on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway led to senior-official suspensions and emergency works.

Subsequent toll adjustments occurred throughout July, including hikes in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Karnataka, as well as a 5% rise on the Vadodara-Bharuch segment. To mitigate costs, NHAI issued revised directives under the amended National Highway Fee Rules on 25 July, which could reduce tolls by up to 40% by using more favorable calculation formulas for infrastructure like bridges and tunnels.

To support local commuters, NHAI launched a digital Local Toll Pass via the RajmargYatra app. Initially piloted at the Mundka-Bakkarwala plaza, the program was expanded by 21 August 2026 to 121 toll plazas, offering residents within 20 km a monthly pass for non-commercial vehicles at a fixed cost of ₹350.

Entities

National Highways Authority of India · Rajmargyatra app · DigiLocker · Narendra Modi · Indian Government

Timeline

  1. 23 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    NHAI expands digital local toll pass to 121 plazas

    NHAI has expanded its digital local pass to 121 toll plazas in India. Residents within 20 km can now apply for a Rs 350 monthly pass for non-commercial vehicles via the Rajmargyatra app.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    India's Delhi‑Jaipur Highway Gets Barrier‑Free Tolling System

    India's NHAI has installed a Multi‑Lane Free Flow tolling system on the Delhi‑Jaipur stretch of NH‑48, enabling barrier‑free travel, reducing wait times, fuel use and emissions, with FASTag and ANPR technology.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    India's NHAI Revises Toll Calculation, Cuts Fees up to 40%

    NHAI introduced a new toll formula—choosing the lower of two calculations—to cut Indian highway tolls by up to 40%, replacing the old 10‑times rule for bridges and tunnels.

  4. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    NHAI raises toll rates on Karnataka highways

    India's NHAI has increased tolls on the Bengaluru‑Chennai Expressway, Bengaluru‑Nelamangala highway and Mulbagal‑Andhra stretch in Karnataka, with new rates lasting until March 31 2027 and discounts for return‑

  5. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    India raises Vadodara‑Bharuch Expressway tolls by about 5% on July 21

    NHAI raised tolls by about 5% on the Vadodara‑Bharuch stretch of the Delhi‑Mumbai Expressway from 21 July 2026, increasing fees for cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles at four toll plazas.

  6. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    India's NHAI launches digital local toll pass via RajmargYatra app

    NHAI’s RajmargYatra app now lets residents within 20 km of a toll plaza obtain a digital local pass for unlimited monthly travel, cutting queues and paperwork.

  7. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    NHAI raises tolls on major Punjab‑Haryana highway plazas

    NHAI raised tolls at over 50 Punjab‑Haryana plazas on July 15, adding Rs 5‑10 for private vehicles and higher fees for buses and trucks, affecting commuters on major routes.

  8. 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Delhi-Dehradun Expressway potholes spur NHAI suspensions

    Potholes on the newly opened Delhi‑Dehradun Expressway led NHAI to suspend senior officials and issue notices after blaming heavy rain and incomplete drainage, sparking political criticism.

  9. 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    India's NHAI launches barrier‑free tolling on Delhi‑Jaipur highway

    India's NHAI rolled out barrier‑free Multi‑Lane Free Flow tolling on the Delhi‑Jaipur NH‑48, using ANPR and FASTag to eliminate stops, improve traffic flow and cut emissions.

  10. 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    NHAI launches IIT-backed bridge design review and Himachal monsoon safety monitoring

    NHAI will enlist IITs to independently review major bridge designs and has bolstered monsoon safety measures on vulnerable Himachal highway sections.

  11. 3 months ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    India approves Rs 1.23 trillion housing project in Andhra Pradesh and Rs 83 billion coastal highway in Odisha

    India's cabinet approved a Rs 1.235 cr housing campus in Amaravati and a Rs 83 bn, 160‑km coastal highway in Odisha, both aiming to boost housing, connectivity and jobs.

  12. 3 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    India's NHAI launches signal‑free corridors and mechanised highway maintenance

    NHAI will make three Delhi‑area highways signal‑free and has mandated mechanised drain cleaning and automated pothole repair to improve road quality and reduce congestion.

  13. 3 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    India Cabinet approves multi‑billion‑rupee highway upgrades across Bihar, Odisha and Telangana

    India's cabinet approved three highway upgrades: Bihar's 143 km upgrade (Rs 3,936 cr), Odisha's 160 km coastal highway (Rs 8,301 cr), and Telangana's 191 km NH widening (Rs 7,597 cr), enhancing regional travel,

  14. 4 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    India's NHAI announces extensive highway construction projects

    India's NHAI rolled out several multi‑billion‑rupee highway projects across eight states and began widening NH‑44 near Nallampalli, Tamil Nadu to reduce congestion.

Sources

bhaskarhindi.com · constructionopportunities.in · culturalpolicy.com · deccanchronicle.com · desitalkchicago.com · dnaindia.com · dnpindia.in · enavabharat.com · hindi.news18.com · india.com · informalnewz.com · jk117.com · kannada.asianetnews.com · kannadaprabha.com · morungexpress.com · moving.co.nz · newindianexpress.com · News18.com · news18.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · newsindialive.in · newsmeter.in · odishatv.in · orissapost.com · samacharnama.com · siasat.com · sundayguardianlive.com · thecsrjournal.in · thenewsmill.com · theshillongtimes.com · timesbull.com · tv9news.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history