India slaps QR codes on roads, but cash chase looms
A global infrastructure group has praised the federal highways department for requiring digital identification markers on major roadway construction sites, calling the policy a breakthrough for public oversight and quality control. The International Road Federation sent a letter on Monday to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari commending the initiative, which will allow citizens to scan codes and access contractor names, funding sources and consultant details for highway projects nationwide.
The organization stated the program represents a model for technology-based infrastructure management that could influence reforms in additional government sectors. Nitin Gadkari had previously announced that all federal highway projects would display these scannable markers, with contractors held responsible for road upkeep for as long as a decade.
The National Highways Authority of India began installing information boards with scannable codes along highway corridors in October, providing travelers with project data and emergency contact numbers. The authority expects to generate between 35,000 and 40,000 crore rupees during the 2026 fiscal year through monetization of road infrastructure assets.
