National highways
Also called: NH · Topic: Infrastructure: Transport, Communications and Energy · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 7 "Physical Infrastructure"
Meaning
National highways are the main highways and expressways that join cities across states. They also link to railway stations, airports and ports. The central government builds and maintains them through MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) and NHAI (National Highways Authority of India). They are in Union List entry 23 of the Constitution. They are only about 2% of total road length but carry roughly 40% of road traffic.
Example
In 2025, India had about 1,50,000 km of national highways. NH44 is the longest: 4,112 km from Srinagar to Kanyakumari.
Don't confuse with
- State highways: these connect towns and districts within one state. State public works departments build them, and they come under State List entry 13.