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As of now, motorists traveling on the national highways of Bengaluru can expect to see these QR code boards on major routes.
Officials say verified contact details and easy access to infrastructure information can reduce confusion during emergencies. Image: Canva
Motorists using major national highways in Bengaluru may soon see a new addition to the roads: QR code-based information boards installed by the National Highway Authority of India. According to NHAI, the move is aimed at improving emergency response, transparency and overall convenience for highway users traveling in and around the city.
The initiative has been launched on key corridors, including National Highway 48 on the Bengaluru-Nelamangala section and National Highway 75 on the Bengaluru-Kolar-Mulabagal route. These highways see heavy daily traffic, ranging from office commuters and freight vehicles to long distance commuters traveling out of the city.
What are QR code boards made for?
NHAI says the QR code boards are designed to provide highway users quick access to important information by scanning it on smartphones. Once scanned, the code should provide details about nearby toll plazas, ongoing or completed highway expansion projects and roadside facilities available along the route.
More importantly, the boards are positioned as a safety device. The QR codes are meant to connect users to emergency contacts such as highway patrol, engineers responsible for that area, nearby police stations, hospitals and the National Highway Helpline. In theory, this could help motorists take immediate action during accidents, breakdowns or medical emergencies, especially on long or isolated roads.
where the boards are installed
As of now, QR code boards have been confirmed on the Bengaluru-Nelamangala section of NH 48 and the Bengaluru-Kolar-Mulabagal section of NH 75. These corridors were chosen due to their high traffic volumes and strategic importance as entry and exit points to the city.
NHAI has indicated that if the initiative proves useful for motorists and emergency responders, it may be extended to other National Highway corridors.
NHAI’s pitch: Technology for safe travel
Announcing the move on social media platform X, NHAI said the boards are being installed to increase transparency and improve ease of travel for national highway users. The authority designed the project as part of a broader effort to use technology to make highway trips safer, easier and more informative.
Officials say easy access to verified contact details and infrastructure information can reduce confusion during emergencies and help travelers make quick decisions on the road.
Public protests and questions on transparency
Despite the official pitch, the QR code boards have already attracted criticism from road users and netizens. Many users on social media have questioned whether the initiative actually delivers the transparency and utility it promises.
According to complaints, scanning some QR codes does not provide meaningful or actionable information to motorists. Instead of detailed project updates or live highway support data, users report seeing limited information such as local legislators, names of contractors involved in the project, and broad cost figures.
This has caused frustration among citizens, many of whom argue that such details do little to help a stranded motorist or someone experiencing an emergency on a busy highway.
Safety and traffic concerns
Another major concern raised by the public is security. Critics argue that stopping vehicles on the side of the highway to scan QR codes is impractical and could create traffic hazards. On high-speed corridors, pulling over to read a board or scan a code may increase rather than reduce the risk of accidents.
Some users have suggested that if the QR-based system is to work, the information should be accessible through navigation apps or pre-loaded platforms rather than roadside scanning.
Accused of wasting public money
Criticism has also taken a political turn. Netizens have questioned whether the QR boards fulfill earlier promises of transparency made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Several posts have accused NHAI of spending crores of rupees on boards that do not provide real value to road users.
The argument being made is simple: If QR codes do not provide live updates, emergency response coordination, or actually useful data, the project risks becoming another cosmetic infrastructure rather than a meaningful improvement.
What should motorists expect next?
As of now, motorists traveling on the national highways of Bengaluru can expect to see these QR code boards on major routes. Whether they actually develop into useful emergency and notification tools will depend on how NHAI upgrades the backend systems linked to the code.
If improved with real-time data, verified contacts and seamless mobile access, the initiative can still serve its intended purpose. Until then, Bengaluru’s highway users remain cautiously curious, scanning not only the QR code but also the gap between promise and performance.
December 18, 2025, 11:57 IST
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