NHAI guidelines: toll on 4-lane national highways to be barrier-free

What has happened

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued guidelines on 6 November 2026 to standardise the design and infrastructure of toll plazas on national highways with four lanes or more. The aim is that future and ongoing highway projects are equipped to support barrier-free toll collection, where vehicles are charged without stopping at a toll booth.

What changes

The guidelines set uniform requirements for plaza layout, the number of toll lanes, the provision and placement of gantries, road infrastructure, lighting, signage and supporting facilities. According to the notice, because vehicles will be charged without stopping at a physical barrier, the number of lanes needed at a plaza has been rationalised compared with a conventional toll plaza. This allows more efficient use of available space and smoother movement of traffic through the tolling area.

Where it applies

The guidelines apply to all future and under-construction projects. Projects at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage will include the new design in their documents, while projects already awarded or under construction will adopt the changes through the applicable contractual provisions. NHAI field offices have been directed to include the prescribed requirements in upcoming projects and to facilitate their adoption in ongoing ones.

Focus on safety and user information

The policy circular stresses adequate lighting, advance information and guidance for highway users through proper signage and electronic variable message signs (VMS) at toll plazas. These steps are meant to improve visibility and inform road users about the tolling area. The guidelines also provide for an administrative building-cum-operation and maintenance centre for efficient management of toll plaza operations.

What came before

According to the notice, NHAI had earlier issued comprehensive guidelines for planning and designing high-speed access-controlled national highways other than expressways. Those guidelines aimed to bring uniformity in standards for preparing DPRs of upcoming high-speed highway corridors and to strengthen road safety.

What it means for an ordinary traveller

The notice gives no application, form or deadline for ordinary people. It is a decision about how highway projects are designed. For those who travel on highways, it relates to toll plazas that will come up in future, where the effort is to cut queues and waiting time.