Dwarka Expressway in NCR to Implement Barrier-free Toll System

06 Dec 2024 CW Team

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that a plan to implement a barrier-free electronic toll collection system on national highways was under development and would be carried out in phases. The first such booth was set to be installed on the Dwarka Expressway in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In response to a query from Maharashtra MP Ashok Chavan, Gadkari stated that a request for proposal for the Dwarka Expressway had been floated, and the system could be extended to other stretches of national highways depending on the outcomes and effectiveness of the pilot. He mentioned that the operational costs for the barrier-free fee collection system were expected to be lower, although he did not provide details on the potential revenue savings from the unmanned booths or specify a timeline.

To another question raised by Punjab MP Sanjeev Arora, Gadkari highlighted that the implementation of the FASTag system had significantly reduced the average waiting time at toll plazas from 734 seconds to 47 seconds, as per a study commissioned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the financial year 2022-23.

As of October 2024, there were 1,015 operational toll plazas on national highways, with toll collection amounting to Rs 558.82 billion in 2023-24, as mentioned in the response. In comparison, toll collection in 2019-20 was Rs 275.03 billion. Gadkari further explained that user fee collections increase each year due to traffic growth, revision of user fee rates, and the addition of new tollable road sections.

Resources

03 Jun 2026

Jyoti Structures Launches Heat Safety Drive Across Sites

Jyoti Structures (JSL) has strengthened heat safety measures across its project sites and manufacturing facilities as temperatures rise across India. The company has implemented a Summer Safety Plan covering all transmission line projects to address risks related to heat stress, dehydration and worker fatigue.The initiative includes rescheduling work away from peak afternoon temperatures, provision of drinking water, ORS and lemon-salt solutions, and installation of rest shelters near work areas. Daily toolbox talks, worker health monitoring, first-aid preparedness, emergency transport arrange..

MHADA Declares 82 Buildings Most Dangerous in Central and South Mumbai

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has declared 82 buildings as most dangerous across Central and South Mumbai and has appealed to residents to vacate immediately. The list, prepared after structural assessments by the authority, identifies buildings judged to pose imminent risk to occupants and to passersby. Local civic bodies have been asked to coordinate evacuations and to make arrangements for temporary shelter and rehabilitation for displaced households. Officials said the authority prioritised buildings with visible structural distress, severe cracking, tiltin..

Damage Reported At Halwara Airport Terminal After First Rains

Severe damage was reported at the terminal of Halwara Airport during the first major rain spell of the season, prompting immediate concern among aviation and local authorities. Images from the site showed water ingress and visible deterioration of the terminal interior, affecting passenger areas and ancillary services. The airport authority suspended certain operations temporarily to assess structural safety and ensure passenger wellbeing. Preliminary inspections have prioritised electrical systems and roof seals to prevent further water ingress. State aviation officials ordered a formal inqui..