The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is embarking on a significant initiative to enhance the infrastructure of national highways across the country. According to a report from Livemint, the ministry intends to convert all existing single-lane national highways into double lanes, implementing a new criterion that mandates two lanes with paved shoulders for a highway to be classified as a National Highway (NH) in the future.
Paved shoulders, integral to highway safety, are defined as sections of the road adjacent to the regularly travelled portion and are maintained at the same level. Under the proposed changes, expanding these lanes will only occur following a thorough environmental impact assessment. Additionally, projects will be undertaken with careful consideration to minimize damage to fragile mountain ecosystems, as stated by officials speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Road Ministry Secretary Anurag Jain has emphasized the necessity of updating highway criteria to meet contemporary mobility demands. These adjustments aim to ensure that highway alignments align with current transportation needs while prioritizing environmental sustainability.
Notably, exemptions may apply to single-lane national highways in hilly regions, where broadening roads could have significant environmental repercussions. Any potential expansion of NH in such areas will be subject to rigorous environmental assessments, with a focus on minimizing adverse effects on fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
Anurag Jain previously highlighted to Mint the ongoing efforts to refine highway criteria, underscoring the importance of aligning infrastructure developments with evolving mobility requirements.
The Ministry’s proactive approach to upgrading national highway infrastructure underscores its commitment to enhancing transportation networks while balancing environmental considerations. As the nation moves towards a more robust and sustainable transportation system, these proposed changes signal a pivotal step towards modernizing India’s road infrastructure to meet the needs of the present and future.
