19,170 km length of State roads have been notified as NHs since Apr. 2014

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi  : Section 2 of the National Highways Act, 1956, inter-alia authorises the Central Government to declare State roads as National Highways (NHs) through publication of notification in the Official Gazette. The total length of such notified NHs have been enhanced from about 91,287 km as on March 31, 2014, to about 1,32,500 km at present.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved “In-Principle” declaration of about 71,898 km length of State roads as NHs since April, 2014, subject to outcome of their Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). Out of these, about 19,170 km length of State roads have been notified as NHs as per Section 2 of the National Highways Act, 1956.

The Ministry considers declaration of some State roads as NHs, through publication of notification in the Official Gazette as per Section 2 of the National Highways Act, 1956, from time to time based on requirement of connectivity, inter-se priority and availability of funds, etc. The same is also applicable for State Roads approved “In-Principle” as NHs.

The Ministry persistently follows up with State Governments for their cooperation and pro-active participation in the process of land acquisition for development of notified NHs. This information was given by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on July 22, 2019, according to a PIB release.