NHAI issues toll plaza toilet, parking upgrade guidelines with smart monitoring
Synopsis
NHAI has rolled out sweeping guidelines to upgrade and digitally monitor toilets and parking at toll plazas, mandating CCTV surveillance, universally accessible units, EV charging readiness, and real-time smart alerts — all feeding into a central dashboard and a citizen feedback loop via the Rajmargyatra app.
Key Takeaways
NHAI issued guidelines on 23 October 2026 for upgrading public toilets and parking at toll plazas on National Highways .
Upgradation covers flooring, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, drainage, and signage, based on facility size and traffic volumes.
Safety provisions include CCTV surveillance , proper lighting at night, sanitary napkin vending machines , and at least one universally accessible toilet unit per covered plaza.
Parking areas will include designated bays, proper drainage, and provisions for future EV charging infrastructure .
Smart monitoring will track water, odour, sewage, and occupancy, integrated into NHAI's central digital dashboard .
Citizens can submit feedback via QR codes linked to the Rajmargyatra app and touch screens at facilities.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on 23 October 2026 issued comprehensive guidelines for the upgradation, maintenance, and technology-driven monitoring of public toilet facilities and parking areas at toll plazas across National Highways, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. The move is aimed at improving citizen-centric services for millions of highway users.
What the Guidelines Cover
The guidelines prescribe standards for rehabilitating existing toilet blocks through technical assessments that identify necessary repairs and replacements before work begins. Upgradation will cover flooring, plumbing, sanitary fittings, lighting, ventilation, drainage, signage, and other essential amenities. Housekeeping schedules and cleaning frequency will be calibrated to the size of each facility and prevailing traffic volumes.
Safety Measures for Women and Families
The guidelines include specific provisions for female highway users and families travelling at night. These include proper lighting, CCTV surveillance of approaches and parking areas, sanitary napkin vending machines, and clearly visible information signs indicating the availability of public amenities. Each covered toll plaza must also provide at least one universally accessible toilet unit with barrier-free access, suitable doorways, and grab bars for persons with disabilities.
Parking and EV Infrastructure
Parking areas at toll plazas will be improved through designated bays and proper drainage systems. Notably, the guidelines also include provisions for future electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, signalling an attempt to future-proof highway amenities as India's EV adoption accelerates.
Smart Monitoring and Digital Integration
Technology-based monitoring systems will track water availability, odour levels, sewage levels, leakages, electricity supply, and toilet occupancy in real time. Automated alerts for issues such as water shortages, sewage overflow, and equipment failures will enable timely corrective action. All smart monitoring data will be integrated with NHAI's central digital platform, giving officials a centralised dashboard to track facility conditions, maintenance status, complaints, and agency performance.
Citizen Feedback via Rajmargyatra App
Highway users will be able to submit feedback through QR codes linked to the Rajmargyatra app and touch screens installed at toilet facilities. Digitally recorded complaints and suggestions will help authorities monitor issues and track their resolution, creating a performance-based accountability loop for service providers. The initiative represents a broader push by the Centre to bring measurable service standards to highway infrastructure, with the guidelines forming the accountability backbone for concessionaires and contractors managing these facilities.
Point of View
Particularly women and persons with disabilities. Yet the real test is enforcement: India has a track record of well-drafted facility standards that go unmonitored once the circulars are filed. Integrating complaints into a central dashboard is only meaningful if concessionaires face real contractual consequences for non-compliance. The inclusion of EV charging provisions is forward-looking, but the absence of a hard rollout timeline leaves a gap that industry will be watching.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are NHAI's new guidelines for toll plaza toilets?
NHAI has issued guidelines mandating the technical assessment and rehabilitation of existing toilet facilities at toll plazas, covering flooring, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, drainage, and signage. Cleaning schedules will be tied to facility size and traffic levels to ensure consistent upkeep.
How will NHAI monitor toilet and parking facilities at toll plazas?
Smart monitoring systems will track water availability, odour, sewage levels, leakages, electricity supply, and occupancy in real time. All data will feed into NHAI's central digital dashboard, with automated alerts triggered for issues such as sewage overflow or equipment failure.
What safety measures are included for women and families at toll plazas?
The guidelines require proper lighting, CCTV surveillance of approaches and parking areas, sanitary napkin vending machines, and clearly visible signage indicating available amenities — specifically to ensure safety for female users and families stopping at night.
Are there provisions for persons with disabilities under the new guidelines?
Yes. Every covered toll plaza must provide at least one universally accessible toilet unit with barrier-free access, suitable doorways, and grab bars for people with disabilities.
How can highway users give feedback on toll plaza facilities?
Users can submit feedback through QR codes linked to the Rajmargyatra app or via touch screens installed at toilet facilities. Complaints and suggestions are digitally recorded and tracked for resolution, forming part of the performance-based accountability framework.
