The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced comprehensive guidelines for the planning and design of access-controlled high-speed National Highways, other than Expressways.
The guidelines aim to bring uniformity in the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), ensure consistency in technical standards, strengthen road safety and improve operational efficiency across the National Highway network.
The new framework will apply to all upcoming four- and six-lane Greenfield and Brownfield high-speed access-controlled National Highways.
The guidelines are part of the Government’s long-term vision of developing a world-class National Highway network under Viksit Bharat 2047. The roadmap envisages developing around 50,000 km of access-controlled High-Speed Corridors to improve connectivity and reduce logistics costs.
Uniform standards for high-speed highways
NHAI said there were previously no separate standards governing the planning and design of access-controlled high-speed National Highways other than Expressways. Differences in standards adopted for DPR preparation had also been observed across various projects.
The new guidelines provide a uniform set of technical and safety provisions for such corridors.
A key focus is on strengthening safety measures suited to high-speed traffic. The guidelines prescribe advance notification of exits and entries to help motorists anticipate and safely navigate access and egress points.
Lane configuration based on traffic
The guidelines also standardise the lane configuration of high-speed National Highways based on detailed traffic assessments.
For corridors with traffic flow of up to 15,000 vehicles, a four-lane highway with four-lane structures will have a width of 60 metres.
For traffic between 15,000 and 25,000 vehicles, a four-lane highway with six-lane structures will have a width of 70 metres.
Highways carrying between 25,000 and 40,000 vehicles will have a six-lane highway and six-lane structures, with a prescribed width of 70 metres.
Interchanges to ensure seamless movement
Interchanges with ramps will be provided at crossings with Expressways, National Highways, State Highways and important arterial roads generating substantial traffic.
Such interchanges will also be provided to facilitate connectivity with major traffic-generating destinations, including ports, airports, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), industrial areas and major tourist destinations.
To strengthen access control and prevent encroachments, unauthorised entry and the movement of stray cattle onto high-speed corridors, the guidelines prescribe the construction of a one-metre-high boundary wall along the outer edge of the corridor.
NHAI said the comprehensive guidelines represent a significant step towards standardising the planning and design of fully access-controlled National Highways.
