Road travel in India is generally critiqued by the amount of obstacles one endures. From excessive pot holes (not always true) to lingering cows (kinda true) to the random camel pulling a cart in the opposite direction of traffic, one topic rarely mentioned is road tax collection booths.

India has perfected the process of collecting tolls along it’s road system. So much so I was compelled to snap a photo of this hi-tech booth in Karnataka. This modern marvel boasts all season construction so employees are free to collect taxes inside or out regardless of weather. Employees who wish to work outside are kept comfortable under an oversized umbrella, a must for protection against the relentless South India sun. Tired legs are relaxed upon an large boulder which conveniently doubles as a safety barrier to keep runaway cars from crashing into the cement booth. Notice the sophisticated pulley system used for opening the metal gate. A quick tug of the rope is all that is needed to allow free access for drivers who have paid the appropriate fees. And in case of emergency, the rocks places against the roadside can be swiftly moved into the single lane to notify oncoming traffic of a road block.

Who needs multi-million dollar highway programs when you have Indian ingenuity like this?