The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued new guidelines to upgrade, maintain and monitor public toilets and parking areas at toll plazas on National Highways. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced them on 23 October, saying the aim is clean, safe and working facilities for highway users.

Existing toilet blocks will first get a technical assessment, followed by repairs to flooring, plumbing, fittings, lighting, ventilation, drainage and signage. Cleaning schedules will be set by the size of each block and the traffic it handles. Every covered toll plaza must have at least one universally accessible toilet with barrier-free entry, suitable doorways and grab bars. Parking areas will get marked bays, proper drainage and provision for EV charging in future.

The rules also bring in sensors that track water supply, odour, sewage levels, leaks, electricity and occupancy, with alerts when something goes wrong. That data will feed into a central NHAI dashboard that also tracks complaints and how each maintenance agency is performing.

Why it matters

Quick answer: Under NHAI’s new toll plaza guidelines, commuters can expect toilets that are available round the clock, cleaned on a set schedule, with at least one accessible toilet, better lighting and CCTV for safety, designated parking bays, and a feedback system through the Rajmargyatra app.

For anyone who drives long distances in India, a clean and safe toilet stop is often the hardest part of the journey to plan. The guidelines pay specific attention to women and families stopping at night, with better lighting, CCTV covering approaches and parking, sanitary napkin vending machines and clear signs for amenities. The accessibility requirement matters for older travellers and people with disabilities, who are often left out of roadside planning.

There is an accountability layer too. A separate NHAI order earlier this month set at least weekly inspections, and allows agencies with unresolved problems at 10% or more of their toll plazas to be barred from NHAI tenders for 15 days, or until the issues are fixed. The new guidelines also require septic tanks and sewer lines to be cleaned mechanically, with manual entry banned.

What you can do

  • Install the Rajmargyatra app before your next road trip. It is the official channel for highway feedback, and facilities will carry QR codes that link to it.
  • Use the touchscreen feedback panels at toilet blocks where they appear. Agency performance is meant to be judged partly on what users report.
  • Report a dirty toilet with a clear, geo-tagged, time-stamped photo through the app. Under NHAI’s Clean Toilet Picture Challenge, a valid report has been eligible for a ₹1,000 FASTag recharge per vehicle.
  • Expect gradual change. No firm deadline for the upgrades has been published, so standards may vary from plaza to plaza for a while.

NHAI toll plaza amenities: key standards

  • Round the clock availability: toilets are meant to be open at all hours.
  • Hygiene checks: cleaning schedules are set by block size and traffic, with daily supervision, weekly technical checks, monthly reviews and quarterly audits.
  • Accessibility: every toll plaza needs at least one barrier free toilet with grab bars.
  • Safety for women and families: better lighting, CCTV on approaches and parking, sanitary napkin vending machines and clear signage.
  • Parking: designated bays, proper drainage and provision for future EV charging.

What to do if a toll plaza toilet is locked or unhygienic

Scan the QR code at the facility or use the Rajmargyatra app to leave feedback. You can also call the NHAI 24×7 toll free helpline 1033 and report the toll plaza name, highway and the problem.

Frequently asked questions

What are the NHAI toll plaza toilet guidelines?

NHAI’s guidelines aim for toilets available round the clock, regular cleaning with daily to annual inspections, at least one accessible toilet at each plaza, better lighting and CCTV for safety, and designated parking bays.

What can I do if a toll plaza toilet is locked or dirty?

Give feedback through the QR code at the facility or the Rajmargyatra app, or call the NHAI helpline 1033. Mention the toll plaza name, highway and the problem.

What is the NHAI helpline number for complaints?

The NHAI toll free helpline for road users is 1033, available 24×7. It covers general highway issues and can be used to report poor facilities at toll plazas.

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