Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:In the age of digital revolution, India’s highways are no longer just stretches of asphalt and concrete; they are evolving into intelligent backbones of mobility and data, enabling seamless transport and real-time information flow. The vision of smart networks is reshaping how we travel, transport goods, manage tolls, and even access the internet on the move.
Once seen merely as physical connectors between cities and states, the country’s highways are now being reimagined as smart corridors of connectivity and control, designed not just for vehicles, but for data, communication, and real-time decision-making.
The scale of this transformation is as vast as the network itself. As of March 2025, India’s road network stands at more than 63 lakh km, the second largest in the world. Within this, the National Highway network has grown to 1,46,204 km, up from 91,287 km in 2013–14, a remarkable increase of about 60 per cent.
Between 2014 and 2025 alone, the country has added 54,917 km of new national highways, a feat that reflects not only construction prowess but also a pressing need for digitally enabled management and monitoring of such a massive asset.
Digital transformation
In a sweeping move to enhance efficiency and streamline operations, the Government has adopted a comprehensive 360-degree digital transformation across all major phases of a highway project’s lifecycle.
From planning and detailed project reports (DPR) to construction, maintenance, tolling, and network upgradation, core processes are being streamlined to enhance system performance and promote ease of doing business.
Digital tolling: From paper tickets and cash booths to seamless, sensor-driven travel, India’s national highways are undergoing a quiet revolution. In a bid to cut down on wait times, reduce fuel wastage, and plug revenue leakages, the country has been steadily overhauling its toll collection system with digital-first solutions.
Automatic payment
FASTag and NETC: The National Payments Corporation of India has developed the National Electronic Toll Collection programme, a unified, interoperable platform for electronic toll payments.
At the core of NETC is FASTag, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based device affixed to a vehicle’s windscreen. It allows toll payments to be made automatically from the user’s linked account without stopping at the plaza.
Offering a hassle-free way to travel across India’s highways is the FASTag Annual Pass. Designed for non-commercial vehicles, the pass provides unlimited convenience with a one-time payment.
The FASTag Annual Pass, crossed the benchmark of 25 lakh users with around 5.67 crore transactions recorded in two months after its launch on August 15 this year.
Mobile applications
In a move to redefine highway travel across the counry, the Government launched Rajmargyatra, a citizen-centric mobile application aimed at enhancing the overall experience of commuters on national highways.
Rajmargyatra serves as a digital travel companion, offering a wealth of information such as details about highways, toll plazas, nearby amenities, including petrol pumps, hospitals, EV charging stations, and even live weather updates.
To facilitate a smoother driving experience, the app is integrated with FASTag services for hassle-free toll payments and supports multiple languages, ensuring wider accessibility.
To boost operational efficiency and ensure the timely execution of infrastructure projects, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘NHAI One’ mobile application. It is a comprehensive platform that streamlines internal processes and enhances on-ground coordination across the NH network.
NHAI One integrates five core areas of NHAI’s project operations: Field Staff Attendance, Highway Maintenance, Road Safety Audits, Toilet Maintenance, and Daily Construction Audits via Request for Inspections (RFI).
