NHAI has launched a new initiative to promote hygienic public convenience spaces along the national highways of the country
In a bid to improve the condition of public facilities at toll plazas, NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) has announced a new initiative. Known as Special Campaign 5.0, the government will reward Rs 1,000 as toll credit to the users who report dirty toilets managed by NHAI. Having travelled around the country, I have come across numerous instances of public convenience spaces being in absolutely horrendous conditions. In fact, at some places, it becomes almost impossible to use the facilities. The government wants to remedy that.
Report Dirty Toilets at Toll Plazas, Get Rs 1,000
The NHAI is calling it a ‘clean toilet picture challenge’. If you come across an unhygienic toilet at any of the national highways in the country, you can click a picture and upload it to the NHAI website or the Rajmargyatra app. Thereafter, NHAI will investigate the matter and if the picture is found to be authentic and useful, the user will be rewarded Rs 1,000 as toll credit in their FASTag wallets. Note that no cash reward is allowed. This creative campaign is going on at the moment and will continue until October 31, 2025. I must admit it is a step in the right direction to improve the quality of public toilets along the national highways.
A key thing to notice is that this is not valid for toilets at roadside dhabas, restaurants or fuel stations. Also, the photos need to be geo-tagged and time-stamped. That will ascertain the exact location and time of the photo. Furthermore, only one photo will be rewarded per day, even if many users report it. To ensure no duplicity and manipulation, AI-assisted and manual validation will be in place. I am particularly excited about new reports, which mention that NHAI is planning to fine contractors up to Rs 1 lakh per day if they fail to maintain the toilet facilities. This step will ensure accountability and punishment for misconduct.
My View
I welcome this innovative initiative wholeheartedly. Having travelled via the highways of our country extensively, I must admit the situation in many places has been quite disheartening. However, with this initiative, I believe things will definitely get better. I can only hope that such practices are expanded to public toilets in general. Anyway, let us keep an eye out for how things pan out going forward.
Editor’s Note
Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor
As someone who’s spent years crisscrossing India’s highways, I can say this initiative is long overdue. The abysmal state of public toilets has often been a blot on an otherwise improving highway ecosystem. By putting the power in the hands of commuters and backing it with strict contractor penalties, NHAI is finally addressing a real pain point. If executed well, this could set a new standard for basic infrastructure on Indian roads.
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