Why Idea of Replacing Vehicle Horns With 'Bansuri' and 'Tabla' Sounds Dropped? Gadkari Reveals | Exclusive

New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, while speaking at the Times Drive Auto Summit and Awards 2026, revealed why he dropped the idea of using a bansuri (flute) and tabla as horns. Notably, last year in April, Gadkari floated the Idea of introducing a rule for making vehicle horns sound more pleasant sounds of Indian musical instruments, including flute and tabla.Speaking at the Times Now Drive event, the Union minister stated that the past suggestion to replace vehicle horns with musical sounds like flute or tabla was taken back after facing criticism on social media. Notably, Gadkari had proposed the idea with the aim of reducing noise pollution. ‘GPS-Based Tolls 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 stated.

He also emphasised the benefits of the new system, he added, “A significant reduction in toll expenses for commuters. Where users earlier paid Rs 125–Rs 150 at toll booths, charges could drop to around Rs 15 per stretch under the new system. A potential Rs 3000 pass covering up to 200 toll crossings. The biggest advantage would be uninterrupted travel - no stopping, no queues.”On Large Number Of Highways Being Built In The Country:Talking about the highways that are being built in the country, he said, “In Delhi, we are constructing an underground tunnel, and by 20 May, we are working on a state-of-the-art Kalindi Kunj road that goes towards Mathura. It is now easier to commute from Delhi to Jaipur, Dehradun, Amritsar (in 4 hours), Katra (in 6 hours), and Srinagar (in 8 hours). The road from Ladakh to Leh is being constructed, with eight tunnels being built, and it is already 75–80% complete.”

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"We are building 36 tunnels between Srinagar and Jammu, out of which 24 are already ready and six are under construction. Katra to Delhi is connected via the Delhi–Amritsar highway, and from Mumbai to Delhi via Surat. From Surat, we are directly connecting to Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kurnool, Kanyakumari, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and most South Indian cities. Work is progressing on 3,200 kilometres of fully access-controlled highways from Delhi to Chennai. Work is also underway on the Chennai–Bengaluru highway, which will enable travel," he added