The central government has announced two key technology-based measures which are aimed at strengthening road safety and enabling seamless, barrier-free movement of vehicles along the highways. While technology is a great enabler, the application of it alone cannot ensure a better and advanced transport ecosystem if roadworthiness of highways is not prioritised. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has notified the rules for 'Radar equipment for the measurement of the speed of vehicles' under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, which will come into force across the country with effect from July 1. These rules make it mandatory for all radar-based speed measurement equipment to be verified and stamped by legal metrology authorities. This will ensure that such devices are accurate, calibrated and legally compliant, thereby enhancing transparency, public trust and enforcement integrity. Verified radar systems are vital for applications such as traffic speed monitoring, accident prevention and minimising wear and tear on road infrastructure, states an official release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). The ministry claims that the implementation of these rules provides significant benefits to all stakeholders across the board. For the common citizen, the mandatory verification and stamping of radar-based speed measurement equipment will ensure the accurate enforcement of speed limits, thereby preventing unfair penalties and significantly enhancing road safety. Citizens can drive with greater confidence knowing that enforcement is based on scientifically validated and legally certified instruments, the release adds. The second measure initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is basically an advanced tolling system that will combine 'Automatic Number Plate Recognition' (ANPR) technology, which identifies vehicles by reading their number plates, and the existing 'FASTag system' that uses Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) for toll deduction at select toll plazas in the country. The vehicles will be charged based on their identification through high-performance ANPR cameras and FASTag readers, without needing to stop at the toll plazas. In case of non-compliance, E-Notices will be served to the violators, non-payment of which may result in suspension of FASTag and other VAHAN-related penalties, a separate PIB release explains. Along with the announcement of the decision to implement the 'ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System' at select toll plazas, both the technological measures bear great significance from the point of revenue collection and traffic rule enforcement. From the perspective of highway users, including private car owners, public transport and commercial vehicles, the quality of highways in terms of roadworthiness in return for tolls paid is a prime concern and equally important to ensure safety and smooth vehicle movement. Ironically, while a growing number of toll plazas signify expansion of the highway network in Assam, poor maintenance and incomplete stretches of highways have been posing roadblocks to safer and seamless travel in the state. Inordinate delay in ongoing highway construction has compounded the woes of highway users, vehicle drivers and passengers, while stretches of existing highways remaining in disrepair also added to accident risk besides making the journeys uncomfortable. The problems remaining unaddressed despite the state government impressing upon the highway authorities in review meetings taken by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari multiple times is baffling. The Union Minister himself regretting that files relating to highway projects in his ministry do not move unless someone shouts for them reveals a sorry state of affairs which needs to be addressed urgently through administrative reforms to improve work culture. Increasing funds for highway maintenance is another issue which remains unaddressed. Without adequate funds, maintenance of highways is not possible. In 2023-24, only one per cent of the ministry's total budget was allocated for highway maintenance, which is abysmally low. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture observed in one of its reports that several official committees, NITI Aayog underscored the need for prioritising highway maintenance over construction of new highways, but in a strategic area like the Northeast region, the need for construction of new highways to improve connectivity cannot be overlooked. The strategic need for the region also justifies its claim for a higher allocation of funds for the maintenance of the national highways to provide all-weather connectivity. The region being ecologically fragile and prone to landslides in hilly stretches and vulnerable to flood damage, maintenance of existing and new highways poses engineering challenges. The application of modern road engineering technologies is critical to address these challenges but requires huge funding support from the central government. People in the state have rightly been asking the pertinent question: when they are paying a toll for using highways, why do they continue to face the harrowing experience of unsafe and uncomfortable travel in return? Application of modern technologies to improve road safety and ensure barrier-free toll collection will receive due public appreciation if highway projects are expeditiously implemented and are maintained in the best condition to provide a smooth travel experience for all users.