Introduction of Indian Road

India is a very vast country and where the economic development of the country mainly depends upon its Transportation. The road is one of the most important modes of transport in India. Road plays a very crucial role in the overall development of the country.

The Road network of India is one of the biggest and second-largest road networks all over the world. In this article, you will get to know about the Classification of roads in India and the types of roads in India.

Classification of Roads in India

1. The roads are classified on different types in India. The roads are mainly classified based upon the different areas in the country. The classification of roads in India as follows.
2. For the overall development of the different areas of any Nation, there must be an efficient it will planned network of the roads which connect Different cities, towns and villages all over the country.
3. Urban roads play a vital role in the development of the town. The Efficiency of the urban area is affected by the Urban road.

What Is a Classified Road?

A Classified road consists of the highway or proposed highway which is a classified road by section 12 of the HA 1980.

Classification of the roads are done on the following factors:

1. According to the Traffic
2. According to the Transported Tonnage
3. According to the importance
4. According to the location and function of the roads
5. According to the materials used in the construction of the roads

According to the Traffic

Based on the total traffic volume on the roads are classified as

According to the Transported Tonnage

Based on total tonnage for a day the roads are classified as follows

According to the Importance of the Road

According to the importance of connecting holy places and stations of strategic importance, roads are classified as follows

1. Class 1 Roads
2. Class 2 Roads
3. Class 3 Roads

According to the Location and the Function of the Road

Classification of the road is also based on the location and function of the road

Types of Roads As per Location And Foundation  

1. Expressways
2. National highways(NH)
3. State Highways(SH)
4. District Roads
   1. Major District Roads(MDR)
   2. Other District Roads(ODR)
5. Village Roads (RR)

Expressways

1. Expressways are the roads which have more than for lanes. Expressways allow high-speed vehicles.
2. The Construction and the Maintenance work of the Expressway are operated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).
3. The first expressway in India is Delhi-Noida Direct flyway which is an Expressway connects Delhi and Noida with each other.
4. Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway becomes one of the largest Expressway in India.

National Highways (NH)

1. National highways are the Highways which connects the major cities in India. The National Highways also connects the state capitals.
2. National highways generally have the width ranges from 7 m to 15 m which connects the capital cities of various states all over the country.
3. National highways plays and very important role to link the network for transportation of men and materials.
4. National highways can carry fast and heavy traffic.
5. The National highways in India are further classified on the width of the carriageway of the Highways.
6. The Construction, Maintenance and Management of the national highways are done by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
7. One of the major and largest ongoing highway development projects in India are the Golden Quadrilateral and north-south and east-west corridor.

Example of National Highways in India

• 1. Delhi-Agra-Kanpur-Kolkata road-NH2
  2. Agra-Mumbai Road-NH3
  3. Amritsar-Ambala-Delhi road-NH1

State Highways

1. State Highways are the Highways which mainly connect the major cities throughout the state.
2. State highways are the roads which have width ranges from 7 m to 10 m and connect the national highways and the district places all over the state.
3. State Highways can carry medium to fast traffic. State Highways and the National highways have the same design speed and the design specifications for the road construction.
4. State governments have the authority and responsibility to construct and maintain the state highway. Many state highways had constructed by the state Public Works Department.
5. Public Works Department has the responsibility to construct and maintained the road.
6. In India, Maharashtra has the largest share of state highways in the country.

District Roads

1. District Road are the roads which connect each district place to the Taluka place.
2. The width of the district roads generally ranges from 5 m to 8 m.
3. The design speed of the vehicles on the district roads is very less as compared to the design speed on the highways. District roads are generally carrying moderate traffic.
4. The Zilla Parishad has the Authority and responsibility to construct and maintain the district roads. The state government gives grant for the development of the district roads
5. District road also connects with the state Highways and national highways.
6. The District roads are classified into two categories which are Major district roads and Other district roads. Other District Roads also connects with the City Roads.

Village Roads

1. The roads which connect any village to the district roads are known as village roads.
2. The village roads are kaccha roads or earthen roads which only carry light traffic. It connects to the various City Roads.
3. Village road mainly connects the villages or group of villages with each other for with the nearest road of higher category.
4. Village roads plays and very important role in the development of the rural area.
5. Village roads are generally on method with a single Lane width of stabilized soil or gravel. The responsibility of the construction and maintenance of the rural roads lies with the local district Authorities.

According to the Materials Used

Types of Roads As Per Materials 

1. Earthen roads
2. Water macadam roads(W.B.M)
3. Cement Concrete Roads
4. Bituminous roads

Earthen Roads

1. Art and roads are generally constructed with earth materials. These are the kachha road in which Earth is one of the main constituents.
2. Earthen roads are generally constructed in the ruler areas and also known as village road.

Water Macadam Roads (W.B.M)

1. Water bound macadam roads which consist of broken pieces of the stones of varying size which ranges from 25 mm to 75 mm which are laid in three layers on the subgrade.
2. The bigger size pieces of the stones are laid in the bottom course of the road.
3. This type of role is also usually provided in rural areas as village roads.
4. Water Bound Macadam roads are the compact base for the vitamin is a road and the concrete roads.

Cement Concrete Road

1. Cement concrete road is a rigid pavement which consists of the rigid wearing surface on the top surface of the road.
2. The lifespan of the concrete road is greater and more durable as compared to Bituminous Road.
3. The repair and maintenance work of the cement concrete road is very difficult due to the rigidity of the concrete.

Bituminous Roads

1. In the construction of the Bituminous Road, the final finished surface is of the Bitumen.
2. It is a flexible pavement in which first upon the water-bound macadam surface is prepared. In these roads, Bitumen acts as a Binder.
3. This type of road gives a smooth wearing surface at the top of the road.

According to the Third Road Development Plan

According to the Third Road Development Plan the Roads Are Classified Are as Follows

Types of Road As Per Third Road Development Plan

Primary System

1. Expressways
2. National Highways(NH)

Secondary System

1. State Highways(SH)
2. Major District Roads(MDR)

Tertiary System

1. Other District Roads(ODR)
2. Village Roads(VR)

Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs) That Could Be Included in Your Article About India’s Road Network:

What Is the Significance of India’s Road Network in Its Economic Development?

India’s road network plays a crucial role in facilitating transportation of goods and people across the country, thereby boosting economic activities and connectivity between urban and rural areas.

How Is the Classification of Roads Done in India?

Roads in India are classified based on factors such as traffic volume, transported tonnage, importance (strategic and holy places), location, function, and materials used in construction.

What Are the Different Types of Roads in India?

India’s roads include Expressways, National Highways (NH), State Highways (SH), District Roads, Major District Roads (MDR), Other District Roads (ODR), and Village Roads (VR), each serving specific connectivity needs.

Who Manages and Maintains India’s National Highways?

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and management of National Highways across the country.

What Are the Primary Ongoing Road Development Projects in India?

Major projects like the Golden Quadrilateral and the North-South and East-West Corridors are significant ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding and enhancing India’s road infrastructure.

How Are Rural Areas Connected Through India’s Road Network?

Village Roads, typically made of stabilized soil or gravel, connect villages to district roads, facilitating essential connectivity and development in rural areas.

What Are the Differences Between Bituminous Roads and Cement Concrete Roads?

Bituminous Roads provide a flexible surface and are easier to repair compared to the more rigid and durable Cement Concrete Roads, which have a longer lifespan.

How Does the Road Classification Impact Traffic Flow in Urban and Rural Areas?

The classification of roads influences traffic management and planning, ensuring efficient movement of vehicles based on road capacity and usage patterns.