The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed over 5,100 women staff at toll plazas across the country's national highway and expressway network, the government said on Thursday.

The women have been posted during day shifts to manage toll booths at more than 1,140 fee plazas. NHAI said the move is intended to improve the highway user experience and reduce the incidence of disputes at toll booths.

The decision follows consultations with toll plaza operators and industry bodies, including the National Highways Builder Federation (NHBF), the Highway Operators Association of India (HOAI), and the All India User Fee Contractors Federation (AIUCF). All toll operators have agreed to deploy women staff during day shifts for fee collection, NHAI said, adding that more appointments are expected in the coming period.

NHAI said it would facilitate specialised training for the deployed staff, with a focus on commuter interaction, emergency response, basic safety protocols, and toll plaza operations. The training is aimed particularly at recruits from rural areas.

The authority added that it would monitor compliance with the initiative. NHAI said the programme is expected to generate employment for women in rural and semi-urban regions, while broadening female participation in the highway infrastructure sector.