IEC 2025: No More Toll Queues? Nitin Gadkari Promises Zero Waiting Time at Highway Plazas by December

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said toll plazas across national highways will soon operate with "zero waiting time", as the government moves to roll out a fully automated

toll collection system using advanced technology.Speaking at the Times Network India Economic Conclave 2025, Gadkari responded to a question comparing toll delays with a pizza company's promise of free delivery if orders arrived late. Asked whether tolls would be free if motorists had to wait more than five minutes, the minister said the issue had already been addressed.

Gadkari said that by December 26, vehicles would no longer need to stop at toll plazas. Instead, cameras would capture vehicle details and toll charges would be automatically deducted from linked bank accounts. He said vehicles would be able to pass through toll points at speeds of 60 to 80 kilometres per hour without any physical barriers.He said India currently has around 1,000 toll plazas, of which about 300 are operated by private entities and roughly 650 by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He said 10 projects have already been awarded to modernise the system and directed authorities to complete all works within a year.The minister said the entire toll network would be integrated with new technology, eliminating delays altogether. "There is no need to wait," Gadkari said, adding that the new system would significantly improve travel efficiency on national highways.Watch Gadkari's take here:

'Will Punish Them': Gadkari on Erring ContractorsGadkari also said his ministry would take strict action against contractors and officials responsible for poor-quality road construction, asserting that accountability would be enforced without compromise.“Now I decided to punish contractors and corrupt officers who are not doing quality works. I will see that I am going to hang them,” Gadkari said, drawing loud applause while speaking at a public event.Responding to a question on road construction targets, the minister said the government aims to build 60 kilometres of highways per day. “Actually our target is to make 60 kilometre per day. This is target but now once upon a time we are go up to 40 kilometres,” he said, adding that construction needs to increase further.Gadkari said funding was not a constraint. “100% we want there is money is not the problem,” he said, but pointed to land acquisition, forest and environmental clearances, and utility shifting as major bottlenecks that slow projects.Rejecting criticism that speed comes at the cost of quality, he said many roads credited or blamed on him are built by state governments. “I’m only responsible for national highway. I am not responsible roads in Delhi," he said.On infrastructure failures, Gadkari stressed strict action against erring contractors, reiterating, “I’m very much strict about the contractor.”Watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPL69dQSWvg

About The Times Network India Economic Conclave 2025Over the past decade, the Times Network India Economic Conclave has emerged as a premier platform shaping India’s economic dialogue, with its themes often influencing national policy debates and public discourse. Now in its 11th edition, the conclave’s theme for 2025 is “Navigating Geoeconomics.” The event brings together policymakers, economists, business leaders, and global influencers to explore strategies for accelerating India’s economic growth.IEC 2025 is presented by IDFC FIRST Bank, with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham as Knowledge Partner and the World Gold Council as Gold Investment Partner. Other partners include Radico (Celebration Partner), Axis Max Life Insurance (Insurance Partner), Adani (Associate Partner), the Government of Uttar Pradesh (Growth Partner), and NBCC (Infrastructure Partner).