Latest news with #Highways
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
What is the maximum speed limit for vehicles on National Highways?
National Highways in India: India has witnessed significant growth in its road infrastructure over the past few years. According to details available, the length of National Highways (NHs) increased from 132,995 km in March 2020 to 146,342 km at present. Meanwhile, the length of operational access-controlled National High Speed Corridors (HSCs) and expressways has grown from 228 km to 2,636 km over the same period. It is a quite interesting to know about the speed limits on National Highways in the country. The idea on the latest speed regulations is essential for both drivers and travellers, helping them stay informed about what is the speed limits on these roads. The speed limits vary depending on road types, vehicle categories, and several other conditions. In the ongoing Parliament session, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Bhim Singh raised a question to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, asking about the current speed limits on National Highways and whether the government has any plans to increase them. He also asked if any studies, pilot projects, or action plans have been undertaken in this regard. In his written response on July 30, the Union Minister stated that National Highways are constructed as per the standards set by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC). He added that the maximum design speed specified for construction of National Highways in different terrains is 120 kmph for expressways and 100 kmph for National Highways. Gadkari further explained that the current speed limit for transport vehicles is 80 kmph, while private vehicles are allowed to travel at speeds of up to 120 kmph. 'Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways vide S.O. 1522(E) dated 06th April 2018, fixed the maximum speed in respect of the class of motor vehicles on various types of roads in India (Expressway with Access Control, 4 lane and above divided carriageway, Road within Municipal Limits and Other Roads). The current speed limit of 80 km/h is applicable to transport vehicles, whereas private vehicles are permitted a speed limit of up to 120 km/h,' the minister added. Anish Mondal is a business journalist with over nine years of experience. He writes on diverse subjects such as Infrastructure, Railways, Roadways, Aviation, Politics, Market, Parliamentary affairs, Corporate earnings, General and International news etc. ... Read More
Time of India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
4,557 EV public charging stations installed on highways and expressways: Nitin Gadkari
A total of 4,557 electric vehicle (EV) public charging stations (PCSs) have been installed across a length of 146,342 km on the state, National Highways, and Expressways in the country, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. Uttar Pradesh leads with 507 public EV charging stations, followed by Karnataka at 489, Maharashtra at 459, Tamil Nadu at 456 and Rajasthan at 424, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. "As per information available with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a total of 4,557 EV Public Charging Stations (PCSs) have been installed on the state/National Highways/expressways in the country," he said. The minister further stated that there is no scheme for providing incentives to the Charging Point Operators (CPOs). Meanwhile, 4,625 EV charging stations are currently operational in tier 2 cities in the country (as on April 1, 2025). The government recently said that with a financial outlay of Rs 2,000 crore, the PM E-Drive scheme will support the installation of approximately 72,000 EV public charging stations across the country. These stations will be strategically deployed along 50 National Highway corridors, within high-traffic destinations such as metro cities, toll plazas, railway stations, airports, fuel outlets, and state highways, the Ministry of Heavy Industries had said in a statement. The PM E-DRIVE scheme was launched in October 2024 to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) through demand incentives and expand EV charging infrastructure nationwide. The Centre has allocated Rs 10,900 crore for subsidies to EVs under this scheme. The Centre has also allocated Rs 873.50 crore towards the installation of 8,932 Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS) by the three oil marketing companies (OMCs), namely IOCL, BPCL and HPCL, under the FAME-II Scheme . Earlier this month, the government launched a groundbreaking scheme to provide financial incentives for electric trucks (e-trucks) under the PM E-DRIVE initiative, with the maximum incentive set at Rs 9.6 lakh per vehicle.
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Letter: Powys County Council is ignoring concerns over road
I was interested in a recent report about new official signs being erected on some of the county's faster roads showing chevrons and a motorbike on a blue background. Evidently, these signs will enable said motorbikes to take corners as fast as possible by following the on-road chevrons. Powys seems to have a mad obsession with encouraging road bikes to speed along unsuitable roads and encourage off road access to motorbikes and 4WD vehicles to our previously unspoilt uplands. Yet when it comes to quiet, environmentally harmless, recreation, such as walking our scenically superb, long-distance footpaths, their attitude is totally the reverse. Summer is here and walkers either as individuals or groups of all ages are taking to the Wye Valley Walk or the Heart of Wales Line Trail through mid-Powys. I have long been concerned for walkers' safety where these two trails merge on the B4358 from the Wye bridge in Newbridge on Wye for about one mile west towards Beulah. No footpath or suitable verge to walk on, users are forced to walk on the open road and try to take refuge amongst the brambles if vehicles approach. Safety concerns increase as the road becomes very steep with minimal verge and often very fast cars, lorries and motorbikes coming downhill. Most of the section has no speed restrictions which means high speed is not illegal but potentially lethal to walkers. My requests to PCC for a path have been turned down on the grounds of cost (OK I accept that), speed restrictions 'would not legally be allowed', and a request to Highways for at least warning signs was also rejected on the grounds (and I quote) 'drivers take no notice of signs'! If they had added the word 'some' to their reply, the majority who do take notice might help save lives. Even a simple 'Beware Pedestrians for one mile' signs at either end of the B4358 section would be better than nothing. Speeding motorcyclists usually kill themselves, but pedestrians get killed by traffic. If, and I truly hope it never happens, a pedestrian on this road gets injured or worse by motorised traffic, I hope the consciences of Highways Committee members would accept some individual blame because of their inaction.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Expressway network surges from 93 km to 5,110 km in 11 years: Gadkari, ETInfra
Advt Advt By , ETInfra Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament on Thursday that the length of access-controlled National High Speed Corridors, including expressways, has surged from a mere 93 km in March 2014 to approximately 5,110 km at present, reports this impressive 5,110 km, 2,636 km is already operational, providing faster and more efficient travel across the country, the minister stated in a written reply to a question in the Lok said, 'The overall National Highways (NH) network has also witnessed substantial growth, expanding from 91,287 km in March 2014 to a robust 146,342 km today.''This expansion is coupled with a marked acceleration in the pace of highway construction, which has increased from 12 km per day in 2014-15 to a peak of 34 km per day in 2023-24. While the pace is currently at 29 km per day in 2024-25, it still represents a significant improvement,' he further 1,240 national highway projects spanning a total length of 29,400 km are under construction across the country, representing a massive investment of ₹7.8 lakh Centre has also played a pivotal role in upgrading state roads. Since April 2014, approximately 54,004 km of state roads, including state highways (SHs) and greenfield stretches, have been notified as national highways, informed Gadkari explained that the government considers proposals from various state governments and Union Territories for the declaration of state roads as new National Highways. These decisions are made based on key principles such as connectivity requirements, traffic density, inter-se priority, and synergy with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).At present, 206 under-construction NH projects, with an estimated cost of ₹91,290 crore, are delayed in Rajasthan and the northeastern states, including Assam. The majority of these projects are scheduled for completion in a phased manner by 2025-26, with only a few expected to extend beyond one NH project, costing ₹410 crore and passing through Jalore district in Rajasthan, is among those targeted for completion in 2025-26.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Unabated Lantana camara invasion in Himachal needs swifter, more rigorous response
Lantana camara, an invasive alien species introduced decades ago as an ornamental plant, now infests approximately 3,25,282 hectares of forests in Himachal Pradesh, posing a threat to the State's native biodiversity. Even though the Forest Department has achieved significant progress by clearing 51,114.35 hectares of Lantana camara since 2009-10, ecologists are calling for faster, more rigorous action to curb the spread of the noxious weed. Lantana, a pantropical weed species, is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Central and South America. In India, it was first introduced in the early 18th century, and since then, it has invaded almost all the tropical areas across the country, including Himachal Pradesh. According to the State Forest Department, a survey was carried out in 2010-11 and 2015-16 to asses the extent and level of invasion, which showed forest areas of around 2,35,491.93 hectares as being significantly infested with lantana, and varying intensity of infestation in seven territorial circles, namely, Dharamshala, Nahan, Hamirpur, Chamba, Bilaspur, Mandi, and Shimla. However, according to the India State of Forest Report 2023, the extent of Lantana camara infestation inside the recorded forest area in Himachal Pradesh is estimated to be around 3,252.82 sq. km. or 3,25,282 hectares. Kuldip Dogra, a noted taxonomist, acknowledged the progress made by the Forest Department in clearing lantana, which 'offers hope' in tackling the menace, but emphasised the need for an integrated, transdisciplinary, time-bound approach by involving stakeholders and members of civil society to create livelihood opportunities in the process of eradicating Lantana camara. 'There's no doubt that the area under alien invasive plant species, such as lantana, is on the rise, which is threatening the rich, native species diversity. To control the spread of lantana, it's important that stakeholders are involved — be it locals, industrialists, civil society organisations, etc. — and a mechanism evolved to enhance their livelihood options,' Mr. Dogra, Scientist at the Botanical Survey of India, High Altitude Western Himalayan Regional Centre in Solan district, told The Hindu. 'Lantana's management can be achieved by using its biomass for socioeconomic purposes — its timber for making furniture and also as fuelwood, etc. Its biomass can be used to produce organic compost and vermicompost, which will be better for organic farming and an alternative to inorganic manures available in the market,' he added. 'However, the cultivation of alien invasive plant species in home gardens, for landscaping, or for other economic purposes, and around the National and State Highways should be strictly avoided to prevent their further spread and establishment. Pharmaceutical companies should be encouraged to collect these species from the wild to extract potent alkaloids to be used for different industry purposes. Its management should be focused strongly on prevention, early detection and eradication strategies. Most importantly, the eradication programme should be carried out within stricter timelines by involving all the stakeholders, and increasing momentum to achieve optimal outcomes,' he added. The State Forest Department's policy document for managing Lantana camara points out that this noxious, exotic weed aggressively proliferates and forms a dense mesh of bushes. This happens excessively at the edges of forests having sparse canopies. Lantana camara is known to produce allelochemicals that restrict the growth of other species under its canopy. Hence, it replaces native flora, resulting in homogeneous vegetation, significantly contributing to decline in biodiversity. 'We have eradicated lantana in 51,114.35 hectares so far since 2009-10. The removal of lantana is being done through the 'cut root stock' method, and to ensure that lantana doesn't invade again, we are planting native species as well. We are making headway. On average, every year, we are expecting to eradicate lantana on 1,000 hectares of forest,' Girish Hosur, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Himachal Pradesh, said. 'The immediate focus should be to contain the speed of spread of lantana. It has been observed that it has been infesting from lower areas towards higher regions, which is worrying. The 'cut root stock' method is good, but the eradication should be tackled at the higher elevation first, so that the infestation could be restricted to the lower areas only, and then gradually rehabilitate all the areas with native species,' G.S. Goraya, researcher on floral diversity and former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Himachal Pradesh, said.
