India, a vast tapestry of culture and diversity, is seamlessly connected by an extensive network of roads that crisscross its landscapes. Carrying the heartbeat of the nation, these roads link bustling cities, quiet villages and bustling markets, facilitating trade, travel and cultural exchange. Among these arteries of connectivity, the National Highways stand out as the lifelines of India’s road network, contributing significantly to its growth and development.
Road Network in India
India takes pride in possessing the world’s second-largest integrated road network, where national highways represent a mere 1.8% of the expansive infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, the country boasts a meticulously organized system of 599 national highways, subject to periodic renumbering. Serving as crucial centers throughout the nation, covering an extensive collective distance of around 132,500 kilometers.
India’s Longest Highway
National Highway 44 (NH 44) is the longest national highway in India, stretching over 4,112 kilometers from Srinagar in the northernmost part of the country to Kanyakumari in the southernmost. This monumental highway serves as a crucial transportation link, connecting numerous states across the nation.
Route of Longest Highway of India
NH 44 links Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, providing a direct route that covers the geographical span of the country. It connects key states like Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, making it vital for trade and travel.
Total Length of NH44, India’s Longest Highway
National Highway 44 (NH 44) is India’s longest highway, stretching 4,112 kilometers. It connects Srinagar in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, passing through many states. This crucial route links diverse regions, supporting trade, travel, and cultural unity across the country.
List of Top 10 Longest National Highways of India
National Highway 44 (NH 44) is the longest national highway in India, stretching over 4,112 kilometers from Srinagar in the northernmost part of the country to Kanyakumari in the southernmost.
Here is the list of top-10 longest national highways of India:
Rank | National Highway | Distance (in Km) | Route |
1. | NH 44 (old NH 7) | 3,745 | Srinagar to Kanyakumari |
2. | NH 27 | 3,507 | Begins from Porbandar in Gujarat and ends in Silchar in Assam |
3. | NH 48 (old NH 8) | 2,807 | Delhi to Chennai |
4. | NH 52 | 2,317 | Begins from Sangrur in Punjab and ends in Ibrahimpatnam in Andhra Pradesh |
5. | NH 30 (old NH 221) | 2,040 | Begins from Sitarganj in Uttarakhand and ends in Ibrahimpatnam in Andhra Pradesh |
6. | NH 6 | 1,873 | Jorabat in Meghalaya and ends at Selling in Mizoram |
7. | NH 53 | 1,781 | Begins from Hazira in Gujarat and ends at Pradip Port in Odisha |
8. | NH 16 (old NH 5) | 1,711 | Begins from east Coasst of West Bengal and ends at Chennai in Tamil Nadu |
9. | NH 66 (old NH 17) | 1,622 | Begins from Panvel and ends at kanyakumari |
10. | NH 19 (old NH 20) | 1,435 | Delhi to Kolkata |
Know About Top-10 Longest National Highways of India in Brief
India’s top-10 longest national highways connect major cities and regions, enhancing trade and travel across the country. These highways span thousands of kilometers, linking diverse landscapes and states, and play a crucial role in boosting economic growth and national connectivity.
Longest Highway of India – National Highway 44 (old NH 7)
- This is the longest national highway of India. It came into being by merging seven national highways. It starts from Srinagar in North and terminated at Kanyakumari in South.
- States connected: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
Second Longest National Highway of India – NH 27
- It is second longest national highway. This highway is maintained by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). It is an East-West National Highway in India that begins from Porbandar and ends at Silchar.
- States connected: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
India’s Third Longest National Highway – NH 48 (old NH 8)
- This national highway connects two major metro cities in India: Delhi and Chennai. It was renamed as NH 48 in 2010. It is the busiest highway of India.
- States connected: Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
National Highway 52, India’s Fourth Longest National Highway
- This national highway originates at the junction of NH 66 (old NH 17) at Ankola, Karnataka. This highway comes into existence by amalgamating many existing national highways in India.
- States connected: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
NH 30 (old NH 221), Fifth Longest National Highway of India
- This highway originates from the mountains of Sitargunj (Uttarakhand) and terminates at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. This highway passes through multiple remote districts of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- States connected: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
6th Longest National Highwat of India – NH 6
- This highway connects the north-eastern states of India. Before numbering of national highways, this highway was numbered as old NH 40, 44, 154 & 54.
- States connected: Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
7th Longest National Highway of India – National Highway 53
- This highway connects the Gujarat state with Odisha. The road is the part of AH 46 network in India and it is officially listed as running over Kolkata to Surat.
- States connected: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Eighth Longest National Highway of India – NH 16 (old NH 5)
- This is the highway that runs along the eastern coast of India near the Bay of Bengal. NH 16 is a part of much the famed Golden Quadrilateral Project undertaken by National Highways Development Project.
- States connected: West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
9th Longest National Highway of India: NH 66 (old NH 17)
- NH 66 is a long busy highway that runs through the south-western coast of India. This highway passes through the hills, forests, rivers, rivulets, streams etc. and provides a good landscape to the visitors.
- States connected: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Tenth Longest National Highway of India – NH 19 (old NH 20)
- This highway connects the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata in West Bengal. This highway constitutes a major portion of historical Grand Trunk Road, and this road is also a part of AH 1 of the Asian Highway Network.
- States connected: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.