Barrier-Free Tolling and Road Safety Reforms Set to Shape Transport in 2026

Driving Change: The Road Transport Ministry’s 2026 Priorities

The upcoming year promises to bring transformative changes to the country’s transport landscape with the ministry setting its sights firmly on barrier-free tolling and the introduction of a new Road Safety Bill. These initiatives are designed not only to streamline travel on national highways but also to address the pressing issue of road fatalities, which currently hover around a staggering 180,000 lives annually.

Seamless Tolling: The Future of Highway Travel

One of the flagship projects for 2026 involves rolling out seamless, barrier-free tolling systems across national highways. A substantial upgrade over the conventional toll plazas, this system leverages cutting-edge technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) powered by AI analytics and the well-established RFID-based Electronic Toll Collection (FASTag).

With this system in place, vehicles will no longer need to halt at toll booths, reducing congestion and slashing waiting times significantly. The ministry anticipates that toll collection costs will plunge from around 15% to just 3% of total collections, unlocking potential savings of up to INR 8,000 crore annually on estimated toll revenues of INR 50,000-60,000 crore.

Enforcement and Compliance

Vehicles detected without compliance using ANPR cameras and FASTag readers will automatically receive e-notices. Non-payment will invite penalties including FASTag suspension and restrictions linked to the VAHAN database. This strong enforcement mechanism ensures accountability while paving the way for smoother travel.

Expanding the Highway Network and Infrastructure Projects

The ministry is also active on infrastructure fronts, aiming for multiple high-profile projects to launch or reach completion in 2026. Noteworthy among them are:

• Stránka Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (1,362 km), expected by November 2026
• Amritsar-Jamnagar Highway, due December 2026
• Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway by June 2026
• Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway by March 2026
• Indore-Hyderabad Highway by May 2026
• Delhi-Dehradun Expressway by January 2026
• Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest at 13 km, set for inauguration in April 2026, promising to cut travel time from 3 hours to just 20 minutes.

The ministry plans to award highway projects covering 12,000 km in 2025-26, with ambitions to increase this to 13,000-13,500 km in the following financial year. Funding innovations such as the launch of a Public Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) focus on monetising highway assets, inviting both retail and domestic investors while unlocking growth potential.

Road Safety: A Renewed Legislative Push

Nový Road Safety Bill aims to revamp regulations and enforcement. The current statistics paint a sobering picture with approximately 500,000 road accidents annually causing nearly 180,000 deaths, two-thirds of which involve individuals aged 18 to 34.

The ministry is determined to tighten law enforcement and escalate penalties for traffic offenses. A combination of improved road engineering, advanced safety protocols, and newer legislation seeks to curb this grim trend.

Highlighting Challenges

Despite progress in reforms such as annual FASTag passes offering cost-effective travel across multiple toll plazas, challenges persist:

• Delays in highway projects — 649 projects worth INR 4.2 lakh crore face setbacks
• Land acquisition issues, contractor problems, environmental clearance delays
• Dependence on imported raw materials like bitumen affects construction timelines

Vplyv na cestovanie a presuny

For travelers and those relying on taxi a transferové služby, these developments mark an important step towards faster, safer journeys on highways.

Barrier-free tolling will minimize unproductive waiting times at plazas, enabling drivers and passengers to reach destinations more swiftly. Meanwhile, improved road safety and infrastructure boost confidence in travel, encouraging trips that depend on reliable transfers from airports or city hubs.

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Zhrnutie

The roadmap set by the transport ministry is a significant leap toward revolutionizing highway travel with smart barrier-free tolling and stringent safety reforms. The completion of landmark expressways and infrastructure investments promise improved connectivity and reduced travel times. This surge in efficiency and safety aligns perfectly with contemporary travel requirements, where dependability and speed hold the upper hand.

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These advancements, while primarily national in scope, reflect a global trend towards smarter, safer road travel. For transport and tourism alike, keeping up with such changes ensures readiness for the future of mobility. Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with GetTransfer.