Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has officially withdrawn a proposal to replace standard vehicle horns with Indian musical instruments such as the flute and tabla. Speaking at the Times Drive Auto Summit and Awards 2026, Gadkari stated the decision to drop the noise pollution mitigation idea followed significant criticism on social media.

The Minister also announced a shift toward a GPS-based tolling model intended to replace the current FASTag system. Under the proposed framework, vehicles will be charged based on exact distance traveled using number plate recognition and FASTag integration, allowing for uninterrupted travel at speeds of up to 80 kmph.

The new system aims to significantly reduce costs for commuters. Gadkari noted that travelers currently paying between Rs 125 and Rs 150 at toll booths could see charges drop to approximately Rs 15 per stretch, with potential passes covering up to 200 crossings for Rs 3,000.

Regarding national infrastructure, Gadkari reported significant progress on highway and tunnel projects, including the construction of eight tunnels in Ladakh and 36 tunnels between Srinagar and Jammu. Work is currently underway on 3,200 kilometers of access-controlled highways connecting Delhi to Chennai.

The Ministry is expected to continue detailing the technical implementation phases of the GPS-based tolling system in upcoming policy briefings.