Toll-Free Highways Soon? Nitin Gadkari Drops Massive 2026 Hint - Exclusive

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, at the Times Drive Auto Summit and Awards 2026, laid out an ambitious roadmap for India’s highway infrastructure, announcing that all toll plazas across the country could be phased out by the end of 2026. He said the government is moving towards a seamless, barrier-free tolling system that eliminates the need for physical toll booths altogether.

GPS-Based Tolling to Replace FASTag System

Explaining the new model, Gadkari said vehicles will be charged based on the exact distance travelled, using number plate recognition and FASTag-linked systems.

“Drive at 80 kmph without stopping. We will capture your number plate and FASTag details, and the toll amount will be automatically deducted from your bank account based on kilometres travelled,”

he said.

According to the minister, this system has already been rolled out at 85 toll locations and is expected to expand nationwide by the end of this year.

Lower Costs, No Waiting at Toll Points

Gadkari also highlighted the cost benefits of the new system, suggesting a significant reduction in toll expenses for commuters. He noted that where users earlier paid Rs 125–Rs 150 at toll booths, charges could drop to around Rs 15 per stretch under the new system. He also mentioned a potential Rs 3000 pass covering up to 200 toll crossings.

The biggest advantage, he said, would be uninterrupted travel - no stopping, no queues.

“Reforms Must Be Practical”: Gadkari Recalls Social Media Backlash

Sharing a lighter moment, Gadkari spoke about the challenges of introducing reforms in a country as diverse as India. He recalled a past suggestion to replace vehicle horns with musical sounds like flute or tabla, which drew widespread criticism online.

“The backlash was so strong that I had to drop the idea,” he said, underscoring the need for practical and widely acceptable reforms.

The minister also shared updates on a major expressway project aimed at improving connectivity between Mumbai and Bengaluru. Once completed, the route via Pune is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to just five-and-a-half hours.

Gadkari emphasised that while better infrastructure comes at a cost, users would benefit from faster, smoother and more efficient travel.