NHAI deploys 5,100+ women at toll plazas to boost service, empower rural workforce
NHAI deploys 5,100+ women at toll plazas to boost service, empower rural workforce
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has employed over 5,100 women at toll plazas to enhance service quality and empower rural women. This initiative, focusing on day shifts, aims to improve commuter experience and promote gender inclusivity. Specialized training will be provided to ensure efficient toll operations and a professional environment.
The initiative focuses on day-shift operations, with women managing fee collection and frontline toll services to ensure an efficient, empathetic, and user-friendly environment for highway commuters.
In a move aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and improving commuter experience, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed over 5,100 female staff across more than 1,140 toll plazas on national highways and expressways. The initiative focuses on day-shift operations, with women managing fee collection and frontline toll services to ensure an efficient, empathetic, and user-friendly environment for highway commuters.
The decision follows consultations with key stakeholders, including fee plaza operators and industry bodies such as the National Highways Builder Federation (NHBF), Highway Operators Association of India (HOAI), and All India User Fee Contractors Federation (AIUCF). All parties have agreed to prioritize women staff for day shifts, with plans to expand recruitment further in the coming months.
Employment generation and specialised training
Beyond enhancing commuter services, the NHAI initiative seeks to create meaningful employment opportunities for women, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. By encouraging female participation in the highway infrastructure sector, the program strengthens social empowerment while supporting local economies in remote areas, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
“To ensure frontline staff are fully equipped for their roles, NHAI will provide specialized training covering courteous customer service, emergency response, safety protocols, and efficient toll operations. This structured training is designed to enhance service quality and maintain a professional and secure working environment for employees,” the ministry said in its release.
Through this effort, NHAI aims to reduce disputes at toll plazas, streamline fee collection processes, and promote a culture of inclusivity across India’s national highway network. Officials also emphasized that the initiative will be closely monitored to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
With over 5,100 women now serving in operational roles, NHAI’s move is being hailed as a significant step toward gender-inclusive employment while enhancing the commuting experience for millions of highway users nationwide, the ministry added.