NHAI Deploys Over 5,100 Women at Toll Plazas Nationwide

13 Mar 2026 CW Team

NHAI will closely monitor implementation to ensure compliance and to assess operational outcomes at the plazas. The initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities for women, particularly in rural and semi urban regions, and to strengthen their participation in National Highway infrastructure projects and operations. The programme also seeks to increase safety and professionalism at remote locations while supporting local economies by creating regular paid roles.

As part of the scheme, specialised training will be provided to the deployed staff, with additional focus on candidates from rural backgrounds. The training will cover courteous behaviour with National Highway users, handling emergency situations, basic safety protocols and maintaining efficient toll plaza operations to ensure consistency of service. This structured capacity building is intended to enhance service quality and to provide a safe, professional working environment for women in frontline roles.

The authority plans ongoing review and data collection to measure user satisfaction and to identify areas for improvement at the plazas. Further deployments are anticipated as operators expand the scheme across additional locations and as training scales up to meet demand. By encouraging greater involvement of women in frontline operational roles, the initiative aims to promote gender inclusivity and social empowerment while improving service delivery on the National Highway network.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed more than 5,100 women staff during day shifts to manage toll booths at over 1,140 toll plazas across the National Highways and Expressway networks. The measure aims to improve the National Highway user experience by fostering an efficient, empathetic and user friendly environment for commuters while reducing the likelihood of disputes at the fee plazas. Stakeholders including the National Highways Builder Federation (NHBF), the Highway Operators Association of India (HOAI) and the All India User Fee Contractors Federation (AIUCF) agreed to the deployment for user fee collection. NHAI will closely monitor implementation to ensure compliance and to assess operational outcomes at the plazas. The initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities for women, particularly in rural and semi urban regions, and to strengthen their participation in National Highway infrastructure projects and operations. The programme also seeks to increase safety and professionalism at remote locations while supporting local economies by creating regular paid roles. As part of the scheme, specialised training will be provided to the deployed staff, with additional focus on candidates from rural backgrounds. The training will cover courteous behaviour with National Highway users, handling emergency situations, basic safety protocols and maintaining efficient toll plaza operations to ensure consistency of service. This structured capacity building is intended to enhance service quality and to provide a safe, professional working environment for women in frontline roles. The authority plans ongoing review and data collection to measure user satisfaction and to identify areas for improvement at the plazas. Further deployments are anticipated as operators expand the scheme across additional locations and as training scales up to meet demand. By encouraging greater involvement of women in frontline operational roles, the initiative aims to promote gender inclusivity and social empowerment while improving service delivery on the National Highway network.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..