Introduction –
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was setted up in 1988 by an act of the Parliament, say NHAI Act. It was formally made an autonomous body under Government of India and came into operations on 10 February 1995.
The function of NHAI: to develop, maintain and manage the national highways & any other highways conferred to it by the Government of India. The autonomous agency NHAI comes under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Vision of NHAI –
National Highways are the arterial roads of the country that connect capitals, important places, ports and places of strategic importance of various states, they link up with border roads and foreign highways. The total length of NH at present is 1,32,499 kms, though it account for only 2% of the total road length, but they carry nearly 40% of the total road traffic. So the proper development and maintenance of these highways is much important.
NHAI visions for the same. It works to maintain the National Highways network to global standards and to meet the user’s expectations in the most time-bound and cost-effective manner, such that it lies within the strategic policy framework setted by the Government of India. Thus promoting the economic well-being and quality of life of the people.
Organisational structure of NHAI –
NHAI is headed by its chairman. The current chairman of NHAI is Sukhbir Singh Sandhu (IAS), since 28 October 2019.
Responsibilities of NHAI –
• To manage, maintain and develop National Highways across the country.
• To regulate and control the plying of vehicles on NHs for its proper management.
• To collect fees/tolls on National Highways.
• To develop & provide construction & consultancy services.
• To carry on research activities for the development, maintenance and management of highways or any other facilities there at.
• To advise the Central Government on matters that are related to highways.
• To assist State governments in formulating and implementing schemes for NH development.
• To construct offices and the residential buildings for the employees in NHAI.
• To provide facilities and amenities to passengers necessary for the smooth flow of traffic on such highways.
Initiatives/ Projects of NHAI –
NHAI implements National Highway Development Project (NHDP) which involves creation and up gradation of roads and highways work and construction in order to boost the economic development in India.
1. Green Highways Policy (GHP):
It was launched in 2015 with the aim of promoting greening of highway corridors having coordination and participation of the community, farmers, NGOs, private sector and government institutions. The soul objective was to reduce the impact of Air-pollution, curtail the number of road accidents and provide dignified employment to local people and communities.
2. National Green Highways Mission (NGHM):
Launched on 1 July 2016 in New Delhi by Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari. It’s the promulgated version of GHP aiming on plantation drive on 1500 km of National Highway to spread greenery, at a cost of about 300 crore rupees.
2. Bharatmala Project:
Implemented in different phases for the development of about 26,000 km length of Economic Corridors (which includes Golden Quadrilateral and North-South and East-West Corridors) and are expected to carry the majority of the Freight Traffic on roads.
and many more projects…
Few Facts about NHAI and National Highways in India –
✓ Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for the development of National Highways in India.
✓ Central Government is powered to notify any highway as the National Highway.
✓ There are over 200 National Highways in India connecting many places and are named & identified uniquely as NH1, NH2, NH44, etc. (There is special number system used to name these highways).
✓ The first National Highway in India is NH-1 which links Delhi to Attari in Punjab.
✓ NH 44 (previously known as NH 7) is the longest national highway in India that covers 3745 Km from Srinagar to Kanyakumari.
✓ NH966B (earlier NH47A) is the shortest highway of India, having a length of 8 Kms runs between Kundannoor and Willingdon Island in Kochi, Kerala.
✓ The Leh-Manali Highway that connects Shimla to Leh in Ladakh is the world’s second highest-altitude motor highway.
✓ National Highway development project is spanning over total of 7 phases and covers approx 65,000 kms.
✓ The largest highway project in India and the fifth longest in the world was launched in 2001 by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee which was completed in 2012. It’s the part of the 1st phase of NHDP.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
✓ Traffic Colors Used on Indian Highways –
- National highways – Yellow and White
- State highways – Green and White
- City highway – Black and White
- Village roads – Orange and White
✓ Golden Quadrilateral –
The Golden Quadrilateral is a highway network that runs over many of the major cultural, agricultural and industrial centres of India major metro cities of India The quadrilateral is formed by connecting Delhi(north), Mumbai(west), Chennai(south) and Kolkata(east).
💡TIP:
References:
- www.nhai.gov.in
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Highways_Authority_of_India
- www.morth.nic.in/nhai-0
- www.india.gov.in
- deccanherald.com
- stock pictures
Well organised and well written. Good work Divya!
Thnku sir
Good article..
Thnku buddy