Synopsis

NHAI has introduced new guidelines for upcoming access-controlled high-speed National Highways to standardise design, improve road safety and enable smoother traffic movement. The framework covers four- and six-lane Greenfield and Brownfield corridors, with lane configuration and road width linked to traffic volumes. It also includes provisions for safer exits and entries, interchanges connecting key destinations, and one-metre-high boundary walls to prevent unauthorised access and stray cattle from entering high-speed corridors.

NHAI rolls out new guidelines for high-speed National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a new set of guidelines for the design and development of access-controlled high-speed National Highways, aiming to bring greater uniformity to road standards, improve safety and ensure smoother traffic movement.

The guidelines will apply to upcoming four- and six-lane Greenfield and Brownfield access-controlled high-speed National Highways, NHAI said in an official statement on Monday.

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A key feature of the new framework is the standardisation of lane configurations based on detailed traffic assessments. The move is intended to ensure that the size and capacity of a high-speed corridor are aligned with expected traffic volumes.

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According to NHAI:

• Corridors carrying up to 15,000 vehicles will have a four-lane highway and four-lane structures, with a width of 60 metres.
• Corridors with traffic between 15,000 and 25,000 vehicles will have a four-lane highway and six-lane structures, with a width of 70 metres.
• Corridors carrying 25,000 to 40,000 vehicles will have a six-lane highway and six-lane structures, with a width of 70 metres.

NHAI said the guidelines have been framed to bring consistency to the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for high-speed National Highway corridors.

Until now, there were no separate standards and specifications specifically governing the planning and design of access-controlled high-speed National Highways, apart from Expressways.

The authority said variations had been observed in the standards used for preparing DPRs for such projects. The new framework seeks to address this by establishing a common set of technical and safety provisions.

Road safety is a major focus of the new guidelines, with additional provisions introduced to address the requirements of high-speed traffic.

The framework includes special measures for providing advance information about highway exits and entries. This will allow motorists to anticipate upcoming access and egress points and plan their movements accordingly.

NHAI said the provisions are intended to improve road safety while also enhancing operational efficiency across the National Highway network.

The guidelines also lay down provisions for interchanges and ramps at important crossings.

These will include intersections with Expressways, National Highways, State Highways and major arterial roads that generate significant traffic. Connectivity will also be provided to important traffic-generating locations such as ports, airports, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), industrial areas and major tourist destinations.

The approach is aimed at maintaining access to major economic and travel hubs while supporting uninterrupted movement on access-controlled corridors.

To strengthen access control, NHAI has prescribed the construction of a one-metre-high boundary wall along the outer edge of high-speed corridors.

The measure is intended to prevent unauthorised access and help keep stray cattle from entering the highway.

By controlling entry points and limiting unexpected obstacles on the carriageway, the guidelines seek to create safer conditions for vehicles travelling at higher speeds.

NHAI said the new framework is aligned with the government's long-term infrastructure roadmap under Viksit Bharat 2047.

The roadmap envisages developing 50,000 km of access-controlled High-Speed Corridors, with the broader objective of improving connectivity and reducing logistics costs.

The new guidelines are therefore intended to provide a consistent technical foundation for the development of upcoming high-speed National Highway projects across the country.

Inputs from PTI

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