India is moving away from cheaper China-made high-speed cameras for highway tolls, citing security concerns, and is instead sourcing equipment from suppliers in the US, Germany, and Taiwan, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials have been directed to avoid importing sensitive technology from China, and existing Chinese cameras are being phased out as part of an ambitious program to upgrade toll gates with cameras that allow vehicles to pass without slowing down, ensuring smoother traffic flows.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has shortlisted three companies to supply video devices for around 1,150 toll collection sites: VIVOTEK, a unit of Taipei’s Delta Electronics Inc.; German industrial parts maker Robert Bosch GmbH; and Chicago-based Motorola Solutions Inc. While these devices are more expensive than Chinese alternatives, New Delhi’s move reflects fears that Chinese-made equipment could be exploited for intelligence-gathering, particularly during military conflicts. Bloomberg reports that the government is also exploring restrictions on Chinese firms like Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. from selling internet-connected CCTV cameras in India.
The clampdown on Chinese video equipment underscores enduring trust issues stemming from decades-old border disputes with Beijing. Despite recent diplomatic engagement, Indian authorities remain wary of surveillance risks, aligning with broader global concerns as countries such as the US and UK tighten controls on Chinese technology. India’s Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate (STQC) is actively testing incoming cameras and other government-deployed video equipment, approving only those without critical Chinese components, Bloomberg sources say.
This shift highlights India’s prioritization of national security over cost savings, signaling an intensifying global trend in which technology procurement is increasingly influenced by geopolitical considerations rather than price alone.
