📌 Topic 01 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Transport, Communication & Trade
Road Transport & National Highways of India
NH-44, Golden Quadrilateral, NHAI, Bharatmala — complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
🛣️ Road Network of India
- India has the 2nd largest road network in the world (~63 lakh km)
- Roads carry ~90% of passenger traffic and ~65% of freight
- NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) maintains national highways
| Road Type | Length | Maintained By |
|---|---|---|
| National Highways | ~1.46 lakh km | NHAI / MoRTH |
| State Highways | ~1.76 lakh km | State PWD |
| District Roads | ~5.6 lakh km | District Boards |
| Rural Roads | ~33 lakh km | Panchayats / PMGSY |
🛣️ Key Road Projects
| Project | Length | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| NH-44 | 3,745 km | Longest NH in India; Srinagar to Kanyakumari; passes through 11 states |
| Golden Quadrilateral | 5,846 km | Delhi–Mumbai–Chennai–Kolkata; NHDP Phase I; launched 2001 |
| North-South Corridor | 4,076 km | Srinagar to Kanyakumari |
| East-West Corridor | 3,640 km | Silchar (Assam) to Porbandar (Gujarat) |
| Bharatmala Project | 34,800 km | Approved 2017; economic corridors; ₹5.35 lakh crore |
| PMGSY | — | Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana; launched 2000; rural road connectivity |
⭐ Key Facts — Roads:
• NH-44 = longest national highway = 3,745 km = Srinagar to Kanyakumari
• Golden Quadrilateral = 5,846 km = Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai-Kolkata
• India = 2nd largest road network in world
• NHs = only 2% of road network but carry 40% of traffic
• NH-44 = longest national highway = 3,745 km = Srinagar to Kanyakumari
• Golden Quadrilateral = 5,846 km = Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai-Kolkata
• India = 2nd largest road network in world
• NHs = only 2% of road network but carry 40% of traffic