Budget 2024: With second-largest road network, India looks at incorporating more technology to better its infrastructure

One such technology was ‘FASTag’,which was introduced in 2014. It is an electronic collection system which employs ‘Radio Frequency Identification’ (RFID) technology for toll payments.

India stands as the country with the second largest road network in the world. As of December 2023, the total length of national highways is at 1,46,145 kilometres, while state highways and other roads measure 1,79,535 kilometres and  63,45,403 kilometres, respectively.

As per the data provided by the government, the National Highway (NH) network increased by approximately 60% from 91,287 km in 2014 to 1,46,145 km in 2023. However, the sector has witnessed its fair share of struggle. With three bridges collapsing in Bihar within a week, cracks appearing in Atal Setu and several projects facing multiple delays in construction, the sector is left staring at a gaping concern. How can the roadway sector ensure the safety and timeliness of its projects? One such solution to its problems is incorporating more technology for a smooth functioning of its projects and existing infrastructure.

The National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) has been exploring various technologies that can be roped in to better the infrastructure and ensure smoother operations. One such technology was ‘FASTag’,which was introduced in 2014. It is an electronic collection system which employs ‘Radio Frequency Identification’ (RFID) technology for toll payments.

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Therefore, it is imperative that the Union Budget focuses not only on expanding the road network and connectivity in India but also on ensuring proper maintenance, safety, and uninterrupted operations.

Let’s take a look at some other technologies that the NHAI has explored.

• Self-healing roads: Earlier in May 2024, it was reported that the NHAI is planning to bring in technology that will enable a road to “repair” itself with a new type of asphalt. The material will be infused with steel fibre and bitumen. The NHAI seemed confident that the technology will help increase the lifespan of roads and alleviate the issues caused by potholes.
• Recently, the NHAI signed an MoU with IIIT Delhi to explore using Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions for improvement in the availability of road signs on national highways.
• India is also looking at using a satellite-based toll collection system, which uses GNSS and GPS. This new system will charge vehicles based on the distance they travel, allowing for better experience on Indian highways. The GPS-based technology will charge motorists for the exact distance traveled on highways, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said. This system involves collecting toll payments through satellite-based GPS (Global Positioning System) imaging on vehicles.