Longest National Highway in India: List of Top 10 Highways in India

Longest National Highway in India

India’s national highway system is a vast network of roads connecting cities and villages across the country. It covers more than 16,000 kilometers, making it the world’s fourth-largest highway system. The Old NH 7, or NH 44, is the longest national highway in India. These roads play a crucial role in India’s transportation network, facilitating the movement of people and goods. In 1956, they established the initial national highway, NH1, connecting New Delhi and Lahore, Pakistan.

The significance of national highways lies in their role as major conduits that link key urban centers. They play a crucial part in improving connectivity, enabling efficient transportation, and fostering economic growth. Managed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) since its establishment in 1988, these highways contribute significantly to reducing travel time and transportation costs. As essential components of India’s infrastructure, national highways not only enhance communication between cities but also play a pivotal role in supporting trade, commerce, and overall national development.

Longest National Highway of India: NH 44

The longest national highway in India is NH44, covering a vast distance as it combines seven major national highways. NH44 starts in Jammu and Kashmir and runs through Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, making it the longest highway in India. Its historical significance comes from combining these highways, leading to a more efficient transportation network across the nation.

NH44’s importance extends beyond its impressive length; it plays a crucial role in improving connectivity, facilitating trade, and supporting tourism. As a key part of India’s transportation infrastructure, NH44 showcases the nation’s commitment to establishing a well-connected and efficient road network for the benefit of its citizens and the overall economy.

Second Longest National Highway in India: NH 27

National Highway (NH 27) is the second-longest highway in India. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is responsible for maintaining this highway. In India, there is a national highway that runs east-west from Porbandar to Silchar. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam are the states that are linked.

Top 10 Longest National Highways in India

India’s vast Indian National Highway System connects every corner of the country. Here’s a glimpse at the top 10 longest ones, highlighting their impressive stretches and routes:

Name of Highway	Route
NH 44 (Old NH 7)	Clocking in at a staggering 3,745 km, this highway is the undisputed champion. It traverses the entire length of the country, from the northern tip in Srinagar, Jammu, and Kashmir, all the way down south to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
NH 27	This 3,507 km long highway stretches from the western coast of Gujarat in Porbandar to Silchar in Assam, nestled in the northeast.
NH 48 (Old NH 8)	Connecting the national capital, Delhi, with the southern metropolis of Chennai, NH 48 covers approximately 2,807 km.
NH 52	This north-south highway spans 2,317 km, starting from Sangrur in Punjab and reaching Ankola in Karnataka on the western coast.
NH 30 (Old NH 221)	Covering roughly 2,040 km, NH 30 links Sitarganj in Uttarakhand with Ibrahimpatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
NH 6	This 1,873 km long highway cuts through the northeast, starting from Jorabat in Meghalaya and reaching Selling in Mizoram.
NH 53	Connecting the western Indian state of Gujarat (Hajira) to the eastern Odisha coast (Pradip Port), NH 53 stretches over 1,781 km.
NH 16 (Old NH 5)	This highway bridges the eastern coast, starting from West Bengal and reaching Chennai in Tamil Nadu, covering approximately 1,711 km.
NH 66 (Old NH 17)	Spanning 1,622 km, NH 66 starts from Panvel on the west coast and travels down south to Kanyakumari on the tip of the Indian peninsula.
NH 19 (Old NH 20)	Connecting the capital, Delhi, with the eastern metropolis of Kolkata, NH 19 stretches over 1,435 km.

Essential Facts on the Longest National Highway in India

Here are a few essential facts regarding the most important Indian National highway systems. After the United States of America, India has the second-largest road and highway network in the world.

• National Highways make up 2.04% of India’s overall road network, yet they handle around 40% of the total road traffic.
• Yellow and white colors on the road signboard indicate national highways, while green and white signboards denote state highways.
• NH 548 and NH 118 stand as the two briefest national highways. NH 118 connects Jamshedpur and Asanbani in Jharkhand, spanning about 5 km, while NH 548 covers a distance of approximately 5 kilometers in Maharashtra.

In conclusion, roads and highways are an essential component of Indian geography, and the country has the second-largest road network in the world.

The State Government maintains state, district, and village roads, while the Central Government maintains the national and international highways.

National Highway 44 Speed Restrictions

Whether you’re driving a car, truck, or motorcycle on NH 44, it’s important to be aware of the designated speed limits for safety:

• Cars:
  • Highways: Maintain a safe speed of 100 kilometers per hour (km/h).
  • Expressways (if applicable): You can increase your speed to a maximum of 120 kilometers per hour (km/h).
• Trucks and Heavy Vehicles: A consistent speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour (km/h) applies on both highways and expressways.
• Two-wheelers: For motorcyclists and scooters, the speed limit stays at 80 kilometers per hour (km/h) on both highways and expressways.

Always prioritize safety and adjust your speed based on weather conditions, traffic flow, and road visibility. Remember, adhering to speed limits is crucial for a smooth and safe journey on NH 44.

Indian National Highway System

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) was created by the Parliament in 1988 through the NHAI Act. This act established NHAI to develop, maintain, and manage national highways. NHAI is responsible for the National Highways Development Project, which includes 50,329 kilometers of highways. Our goal is to make sure all contracts and purchases follow the best industry practices. This means having a fair and open process, setting criteria for bids to encourage healthy competition, ensuring projects meet high-quality standards, and maintaining highways to provide the best comfort and convenience for users.

National Highways in India 

Several categories split the number of national roads in India and the different types of goods they carry. Here are several examples:

• National Highways: They cross-connect towns and cities, and people regard them as the main thoroughfare.
• National Motorways: Designers created these for fast-moving cars. They can only enter certain areas in high-speed traffic. Lower-speed vehicles have their dedicated lanes on certain motorways.
• National Highway Corridors: Highways that link important industrial hubs together are known as national highway corridors.
• National Bypass Highway: These routes are referred to as bypass highways since they avoid cities and towns to ease traffic and congestion on the roadways.

India’s Longest Expressway  

India’s longest expressway is a significant achievement in transportation, known for its extensive reach and efficiency. Built for fast travel, this expressway has many lanes to keep traffic moving smoothly and reduce travel time. Stretching across a considerable distance and maintaining its lanes well, the expressway connects important cities and states, playing a crucial role in India’s transportation system.

The impact of this expressway on travel and commerce is noteworthy. It substantially cuts down travel time between connected regions, making journeys more efficient. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in promoting commerce by facilitating the swift movement of goods and people. As a symbol of India’s commitment to modern and efficient infrastructure, this expressway stands as a sign of progress, influencing both travel convenience and economic development.

Significance of National Highways

India’s National Highways are very important for the economic, social, and infrastructure growth of the nation. Some of its key characteristics include:

• Towns, cities, and rural regions are all connected by them, and they offer a strong transit system. National highways make the transportation of goods easier, and they also support economic development. This lowers the cost of shipping and gives access to bigger markets.
• National roads link some tourist hotspots, facilitating travelers’ exploration of India’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and historical monuments. Tourism substantially impacts the economy and jobs. Modern interstates frequently include guardrails, lights, and other safety elements, which can help lessen accidents.
• Well-maintained national highways can reduce travel time, improving transportation efficiency, which will allow people to spend less time on the road.

Highway Route and Length 

There are 599 national highways in India. Here is a list of important national highways in India:

Highway Name	Length	Route
NH 44 (old NH 7)	3,745	Srinagar to Kanyakumari
NH 27	3,507	Porbandar in Gujarat to Silchar in Assam
NH 48 (old NH 8)	2,807	Delhi to Chennai
NH 52	2,317	Sangrur, Punjab, to Ankola, Karnataka
NH 30 (Old NH 221)	2,040	Sitarganj in Uttarakhand to Ibrahimpatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
NH 6	1,873	Jorabat in Meghalaya and terminates at Selling in Mizoram
NH 53	1,781	Hajira in Gujarat and Pradip port in Odisha.
NH 16 (Old NH 5)	1,711	East coast of West Bengal to Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
NH 66 (Old NH 17)	1,622	Panvel and terminates at Kanyakumari
NH 19 (Old NH 20)	1,435	Delhi to Kolkata
NH 34	1,426	Gangotri Dham in Uttarakhand to Lakhnadon in Madhya Pradesh

Economic Impact of Highways  

The national highway network is the backbone of India’s logistics and supply chain systems. Here is how it has impacted our economy:

• It makes it easier for commodities to travel both within India and to nearby nations. This transport accessibility encourages trade and business, which boosts the economy.
• Transporting goods is less expensive when national roads are effective and well-maintained. Businesses gain from lower transportation costs, which boosts their profitability and competitiveness. It is amazing how many national roads there are in India that contribute to the development of the manufacturing and industrial sectors by facilitating the efficient movement of raw materials and completed goods. This can draw in funding, provide employment, and increase industrial productivity.
• National roads are advantageous for the agriculture industry because they let farmers swiftly transport their goods to markets. As a result, there is less wastage, farmers receive higher prices, and food security is increased.
• Numerous employment are created by the building, upkeep, and operation of national roads, ranging from labor-intensive construction work to roles in the transportation and service industries.

Infrastructure and Features on National Highways  

In India, there’s a large network of national roads that cover hundreds of kilometers. To enhance connectivity, India has been consistently expanding the length of its national roads. Here are some key features of the Indian National Highway:

System of Highway Numbers: In India, national roads are assigned numbers using a special procedure. Highways with odd numbers normally go north to south, whereas those with even numbers typically travel east to west.

Compared to state or district roads, national highways are often constructed to higher quality standards. They are well-maintained by the NHAI and built to endure considerable traffic.

Many national roads in India are now being converted to access-controlled motorways. Due to their restricted entry points and separate lanes for each direction of traffic, motorways improve efficiency and safety.

• Flyovers and Interchanges: Flyovers, bridges, and interchanges are common on national roads to help with smooth traffic flow, particularly at significant intersections and junctions.
• Service Roads: In addition to the main route, many national highways feature service roads. Local access on these service roads is often used, which relieves traffic on the main roadway.
• Toll Plazas: Toll plazas are common on national roads, where drivers must pay tolls for the upkeep and improvement of the route. To relieve the congestion at toll booths, electronic toll collection (ETC) systems have been used.

Also Read:

Longest Road in India: [NH 44]

Grand Trunk Road: Your Travel Guide on Wikivoyage

The Longest Train Route in India: Explore the Journey

Cultural and Historical Significance of Highways

Indian National Highways also serve numerous cultural and historical significance. Some of those are as follows:

Heritage Sites: Many National thoroughfares pass through or are close to areas that are home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic forts, palaces, and temples, as well as archaeological artifacts. These highways make it easy for visitors and history buffs to discover India’s rich cultural heritage by facilitating access to these locations.

Historical Trading Routes: Certain national highways in India trace trading routes that have existed for centuries or even millennia. These routes played a vital role in the movement of goods, ideas, and cultures, contributing significantly to the historical importance of the regions they crossed. Celebrate India for its cultural diversity, where each state and region has distinctive customs, languages, and cuisines.

National roads link these many areas, enabling people to experience and appreciate the nation’s vast cultural diversity. National roads frequently pass through or are located close to storied historical cities.

Environmental Impact of Highways 

• Beyond air pollution, highways can also impact ecosystems and wildlife habitats. The construction and expansion of highways may alter natural landscapes, potentially disrupting local flora and fauna. Additionally, the runoff of pollutants from highways into water bodies can pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems.
• Through the discharge of oil, heavy metals, and other toxins from road surfaces and moving traffic, highways can contribute to water contamination.
• Highways produce a substantial amount of noise pollution, which affects both people and wildlife. Traffic noise can impact surrounding inhabitants’ well-being, alter animal behavior, and destroy ecosystems. To lessen this effect, people frequently use noise barriers and sound insulation techniques.

Conclusion and Takeaways

In India, National Highway 44 is a vital thoroughfare that provides access to daily travel, tourism, and business. From the south to the north, it represents the country’s wide and varied environment. The gorgeous southern coast, the Deccan Plateau, the plains of North India, and the lush valleys of Jammu and Kashmir are just a few of the many landscapes that NH 44 travels through. This variety draws visitors and road trippers, encouraging tourism-related companies nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )