India’s vast network of National Highways forms the lifelines of the country’s transportation system. Every numbered highway tells a unique geographical tale, and understanding the method behind assigning these numbers unveils the intricate planning that shapes this expansive road network.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for development, maintenance and management of Highways in India.
For highways stretching from North to South, even numbers take the lead, and these numbers ascend as you move from East to West. This means that National Highway 2 (NH-2) finds its home in the North Eastern States, while NH-68 resides in the western expanse of Rajasthan.
It may be noted that highways spanning from East to West showcase an odd-numbered symphony. The order of these odd numbers aligns from East to West. NH-8, nestled in the northern reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, stands in stark contrast to NH-87, gracefully adorning the southern landscapes of Tamil Nadu.
Additionally, moving from East to West, the numerical values for highways running North to South ascend. For instance, if NH-4 graces an Eastern State on its North-South journey, its counterpart in a Central or Western State will inevitably be christened with a number greater than four.
What are subsidiary highways?
Highways bearing three-digit numbers are known as subsidiary highways, forming intricate branches of their parent National Highways.
For instance, the extensions 244, 144, and 344 are offshoots of the main artery, National Highway 44. The first digit in these subsidiary highway numbers dictates their directional orientation. Odd starting digits signify East-to-West trajectories, while even digits denote North-to-South orientations.
To further streamline identification, subsidiary highways employ letters (A, B, C or D) within their three-digit numbers. These letters meticulously designate different sections, making pinpointing specific routes along these auxiliary roadways easier.