NHAI Deploys Over 5,100 Women Staff Across 1,140 National Highway Toll Plazas

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed over 5,100 women staff during day shifts to manage toll booths across more than 1,140 toll plazas on India’s national highways and expressway network. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, aims to promote women’s empowerment, gender inclusivity, and improved service delivery in toll operations.

The programme is part of a broader effort to increase the participation of women in frontline operational roles within the infrastructure and transportation sectors—areas that have traditionally had limited female representation. By placing women employees at toll collection points, the authority aims to enhance both social empowerment and operational efficiency at user fee plazas across the country.

According to the ministry, the decision to deploy women staff was taken following discussions with key stakeholders and industry associations, including the National Highways Builder Federation (NHBF), the Highway Operators Association of India (HOAI), and the All India User Fee Contractors Federation (AIUCF). These organisations, along with toll operators, have collectively agreed to deploy women staff during day shifts for toll collection activities.

Officials confirmed that more than 5,100 women employees have already been deployed, with additional staff expected to join in the coming months as the initiative expands further across the national highway network.

To support the programme, NHAI will also provide specialised training and capacity-building programmes for the women staff, particularly those from rural backgrounds. The training will focus on key operational skills such as courteous interaction with highway users, emergency response handling, adherence to safety protocols, and efficient toll plaza management.

The structured training initiative is designed to ensure a safe and professional working environment while also improving the overall experience for commuters using the national highway network.

India’s highway infrastructure has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with an increasing number of toll plazas supporting the maintenance and development of national highways and expressways. As this network continues to grow, NHAI has been exploring ways to modernise operations while promoting workforce diversity and inclusive employment opportunities.

By integrating more women into toll operations, the authority aims to foster greater gender diversity in infrastructure services while maintaining smooth and efficient toll plaza functioning across the country’s expanding highway system.