The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to roll out a series of significant changes aimed at enhancing travel experience and safety on national highways. Beginning November 15, 2025, a new set of toll regulations along with the introduction of QR code-enabled signboards will be implemented across the country’s highway network.
These upcoming signboards will not only display traditional information like directions and distances but will also include QR codes. Travelers can scan these codes using their smartphones to instantly access important details such as the highway number, precise location, contact information of the toll plaza manager, resident engineer, patrol team, and most crucially, the Highway Emergency Helpline number 1033. This innovation is expected to improve roadside assistance and overall traveler safety.
The QR code signboards will be strategically placed at key points including the start and end of highways, toll plazas, rest and food areas, truck parking zones, and other critical locations to ensure easy accessibility for highway users.
Alongside this, new toll payment rules will also be enforced from mid-November. Under the revised system, vehicles without a working FASTag or facing technical issues will have to pay 1.25 times the toll amount if they use UPI for payment, whereas cash payments will be penalized with double the toll charges. This move is designed to encourage digital transactions and minimize cash handling on highways.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance user convenience, improve safety, and advance the Digital India mission by fostering smart, connected highways and promoting cashless payments.
