- Why in news
- On 21 September 2026, NHAI released guidelines for planning and designing high-speed, access-controlled National Highways other than Expressways. They set uniform standards for DPRs and safety.
- What it is
- Access-controlled highways allow entry and exit only at designated interchanges, with no direct access from roadside property or side roads. NHAI builds and maintains National Highways under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. These guidelines cover high-speed corridors that are not Expressways and fill a gap in design standards.
- Scope
- The guidelines apply to all upcoming 4/6 lane greenfield and brownfield high-speed access-controlled National Highways, other than Expressways.
- Target
- The strategic roadmap envisages 50,000 km of access-controlled High-Speed Corridors under Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Why needed
- No separate standards existed for such corridors, and DPR standards varied.
- Boundary wall
- A 1-metre-high boundary wall along the outer edge is prescribed to stop encroachment, unauthorised access and stray cattle.
- Interchanges
- Ramped interchanges are to be provided at crossings with Expressways, NHs, State Highways and important arterial roads, and for ports, airports, MMLPs, industrial areas and major tourist sites.
Don’t confuse with Expressway vs high-speed access-controlled NH: These guidelines cover high-speed access-controlled National Highways other than Expressways. Expressways are a separate category.
Don’t confuse with Greenfield vs brownfield: Greenfield is a new alignment on fresh land. Brownfield is the upgrade or widening of an existing road.
Why it matters
- Uniform DPR and design standards give consistency across projects and cut variation in quality.
- Access control, advance exit signage and boundary walls improve road safety and speed, lowering logistics costs.
Problems
- Land acquisition for 60-70 m widths is slow and costly, especially for brownfield stretches.
- Fencing and access control can split villages and disrupt local movement unless underpasses are provided.
Way forward
- Provide enough underpasses and service roads so local communities keep access.
- Enforce the standards through audits and safety reviews after construction.
Put in your answer
50,000 km target: Use the 50,000 km access-controlled corridor goal under Viksit Bharat 2047 as an example of the infrastructure push to cut logistics costs.
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q6Explain electronic toll collection on highways: its advantages, limitations, proposed changes, and hazards.
- 2018Mains GS4 · Q8Ethics of a Ministry official with advance knowledge of a mega road project and land acquisition.
- 2007Prelims Q77Which National Highway passes through Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa?
- 2008Prelims Q139Which Union Ministry houses the Department of Border Management? Options include Road Transport and Highways.
- 2017Prelims Q80What does the term M-STrIPES, seen in news about national highways, refer to?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: New design standards for 50,000 km of high-speed corridors. Useful infrastructure context, but few testable facts.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.