The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced new guidelines for the planning and design of high-speed, access-controlled national highways. The guidelines were announced on September 21 and are intended to bring greater consistency to the development of these road corridors.
Under the new framework, the number of lanes and the overall structural design of highways will be decided after detailed traffic studies. The guidelines will apply to high-speed national highways, including expressways.
According to NHAI, the new standards are aimed at creating a uniform approach for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), improving technical specifications, strengthening road safety and increasing the overall efficiency of India’s national highway network.
Which Highways Will Come Under the New Guidelines?
The updated framework will cover both Greenfield and Brownfield high-speed highways.
Greenfield highways are newly developed roads constructed in previously undeveloped areas, while Brownfield highways involve upgrading existing roads into high-speed, access-controlled corridors.
NHAI said that there were previously no specific standardized guidelines for planning and designing such high-speed national highways, apart from expressways. As a result, different standards were being followed while preparing DPRs for various corridors.
The new guidelines are intended to provide a common framework covering technical specifications as well as safety requirements.
Lane Configuration Will Depend on Traffic
The new guidelines link the design and lane configuration of a highway to the volume of traffic it is expected to handle.
Roads carrying up to 15,000 vehicles per day will have four lanes with a corridor width of 60 metres. Highways handling between 15,000 and 25,000 vehicles daily will have six lanes with a width of 70 metres.
For routes carrying between 25,000 and 40,000 vehicles per day, the guidelines also provide for six lanes with a 70-metre width.
This approach is intended to ensure that highway infrastructure is planned according to traffic requirements.
Ramped Interchanges and Entry Controls
The guidelines also provide for ramped interchanges at connections involving expressways, national highways, state highways and other important roads with heavy traffic.
Similar interchange facilities will be provided for routes connecting major traffic-generating locations, including ports, airports, multi-modal logistics parks, industrial areas and major tourist destinations.
Another important provision relates to controlling unauthorized access to high-speed corridors. A one-metre-high wall will be constructed along the outer edge of the highway corridor.
According to NHAI, this wall will help restrict unauthorized entry and prevent stray animals from entering high-speed highway sections, thereby supporting safer traffic movement.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the information provided regarding NHAI’s updated guidelines for high-speed, access-controlled national highways. Highway standards, project specifications and implementation requirements may vary depending on individual projects and official directions. Readers should refer to NHAI’s official communications for the latest information.