The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka, Maharashtra, AP lead in demand for NH status for State highways

Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have been the most active States when it comes to demanding National Highway status for their roads. They have sent the maximum number of proposals urging the Centre to declare their State road stretches as National Highways in the last five years.

Between them, these three States have demanded that 20,181 km of road stretches be taken under the NH ambit. This accounts for almost 50 per cent of the total demand (40,796 km) made by all States and Union Territories during the five year period.

The existing National Highways network stands at 70,548 km. Among those lining up for declaration of their roads as National Highways, Karnataka leads the pack, with 28 proposals for 7,020 km, followed closely by Maharashtra (17 proposals, 6,969 km) and Andhra Pradesh (22 proposals, 6,192 km).

The State Governments usually demand declaration of their road networks as National Highways because then the primary responsibility to fund the development of the National Highways shifts to the Centre. If the highways are under the State Governments, the States have to fund the development and maintenance of highways.

Moreover, factors such as land acquisition also drive the States to shift the ownership of highways to the Centre. For instance, land acquisition for highway development is usually relatively easier under the powers granted under the National Highways Act. The Centre has adopted an eleven-point list of criteria for declaring a road/stretch of State roads as a National Highway.

Criteria

The criteria includes roads connecting the National Capital with State Capitals; and roads connecting various State Capitals. Roads connecting adjacent countries; major ports, large industrial centres or tourist centres also make the cut. Moreover, roads that meet strategic requirement, or help open up large tracts of backward area and hilly regions can also be declared National Highways.

The road and right of way must be free of any type of encroachment and should be the property of State Government. The right of way required for National Highways (preferably 45 metres, minimum 30 metres) must be available for acquisition, free of encroachments and the State Government should complete the acquiring formalities within six months.