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NHAI Issues High-Speed Highway Design Guidelines for 4-6 Lanes

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 10:18 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The National Highways Authority of India issued design guidelines for high-speed highways on 21 September 2026.
The guidelines standardize technical specs and safety provisions for 4-lane and 6-lane corridors.
They apply to both greenfield and brownfield high-speed highway projects.
Standards set corridor widths of 60 m for up to 15,000 vehicles and 70 m for 15,000-40,000 vehicles.
Guidelines require advance exit/entry notice and ramp interchanges at ports, airports and major junctions.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, India inaugurated the Golden Quadrilateral, a 5,846-kilometre high-speed road network linking Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The project, overseen by the National Highways Authority of India and funded $10 billion by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, reduced travel times by 30 %. Today's 2026 NHAI design guidelines echo that precedent by mandating 60-metre corridors for up to 15,000 vehicles, mirroring earlier capacity targets. By institutionalizing such standards, India aims to sustain economic growth, attract $12 billion in private investment, and streamline future greenfield highway expansions.

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Story summary

The National Highways Authority of India issued design guidelines for high-speed highways on 21 September 2026.
The guidelines standardize technical specs and safety provisions for 4-lane and 6-lane corridors.
They apply to both greenfield and brownfield high-speed highway projects.
Standards set corridor widths of 60 m for up to 15,000 vehicles and 70 m for 15,000-40,000 vehicles.
Guidelines require advance exit/entry notice and ramp interchanges at ports, airports and major junctions.

1 / 2