NHAI Introduces New Guidelines for Access-Controlled High-Speed National Highways
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released comprehensive guidelines for the planning and designing of High-Speed Access Controlled National Highways, excluding Expressways. These guidelines establish a uniform framework for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and aim to bring consistency in technical standards, strengthen road safety, and improve operational efficiency across the National Highway network. The guidelines will apply to all upcoming 4/6 lane Greenfield and Brownfield High-speed access controlled National Highways.
Standardized Design Specifications
The guidelines standardize lane configurations based on detailed traffic assessment. Corridors with traffic flow up to 15,000 vehicles will have four-lane highway with four-lane structures and a standardized width of 60 metres. For traffic flow between 15,000-25,000 vehicles, the configuration will be four-lane highway with six-lane structures and a width of 70 metres. Highways with traffic flow between 25,000-40,000 vehicles will have six-lane highway with six-lane structures and a width of 70 metres.
Safety and Access Control Measures
A key focus is on incorporating additional safety measures appropriate for high-speed traffic conditions. The guidelines prescribe special provisions for advance notification of exits and entries to help users anticipate and safely navigate access points. To strengthen access control and prevent encroachments, unauthorized access, and entry of stray cattle, the guidelines mandate construction of a 1-metre-high boundary wall along the outer edge of the corridor.
Interchange and Connectivity Standards
Interchanges with ramps will be provided at crossings with Expressways, National Highways, State Highways, and important arterial roads generating substantial traffic. This includes roads providing connectivity to major traffic-generating destinations such as ports, airports, Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), industrial areas, and major tourist destinations.
Strategic Context and Implementation
The guidelines are aligned with the Government of India's strategic roadmap under Viksit Bharat 2047, which envisages developing 50,000 km of access-controlled High-Speed Corridors to boost connectivity and reduce logistics costs. This initiative addresses the current absence of separate standards and specifications for planning and designing access-controlled High-Speed National Highways, where variations have been observed in DPR standards. The comprehensive guidelines represent a significant step toward standardizing planning and design of fully access-controlled National Highways and ensuring consistency across High-Speed National Highway projects.