As of 2026, NH 11 doesn’t have an official new name—it’s still called NH 11, a key route running from Jaipur to Agra through Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
What’s the new name for NH 13?
NH 13 is now called NH 53, following the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ nationwide renumbering in 2010.
This change fits the government’s system of renaming highways based on direction and connectivity. Now, NH 53 stretches about 1,150 km from Dhankuni in West Bengal all the way to Tinsukia in Assam, cutting through cities like Jamshedpur and Dibrugarh.
Did NH 10 get a new name?
No, NH 10 hasn’t changed—it’s still NH 10 under the 2026 numbering system.
Before the 2010 overhaul, parts of it were labeled NH 31A. Today, it still links the Indo-Bangladesh border near Siliguri to Gangtok in Sikkim, making it a crucial artery in Northeast India’s highway network.
What was NH 1 called before?
NH 1 used to be the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), one of the most famous and ancient roads in South Asia.
This historic route once ran from New Delhi to Attari near the India-Pakistan border. The GT Road—also known as Uttarapath or Sarak-e-Azam—has been around for over 2,500 years, linking Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent through cities like Lahore, Amritsar, and Delhi.
What happened to NH 21’s name?
NH 21 was renamed NH 11 back in 2010 as part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ nationwide update.
The change affected the Jaipur to Agra stretch. Now, NH 11 covers 531 km, connecting Jaipur to Agra via Bharatpur, and remains a major freight and passenger route in northern India.
Which national highway is the longest in India?
NH 44 takes the crown as India’s longest national highway, stretching 3,745 km from Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir all the way down to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
This highway snakes through 11 states, passing major hubs like Delhi, Agra, Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. It’s the backbone of India’s north-south corridor and part of the Asian Highway Network (AH 47).
Where’s the world’s longest straight road?
Highway 10 in Saudi Arabia holds the record for the longest straight stretch, with a 162-mile (260 km) perfectly straight section between Haradh and the UAE border.
Flat desert terrain makes this possible, though driving it is famously monotonous. It’s part of Highway 10 in the Arabian Desert, a route known for its relentless straightaways.
What’s the longest highway in Karnataka?
NH 75 is Karnataka’s longest national highway, covering 533 km from Bengaluru to Chikkodi.
This highway links Bengaluru to cities like Tumakuru, Chitradurga, and Dharwad, serving as a major freight and commuter corridor. It’s also part of the East-West corridor connecting Karnataka to Maharashtra and Goa.
Does NH stand for horsepower?
No, NH stands for National Highway—not horsepower. Length is measured in kilometers, like NH 105, which is 48.875 km long.
National highways are classified by length, traffic, and economic importance, not engine power. HP is strictly for engines and motors, not roads.
How are national highways numbered?
India numbers its highways by direction: odd numbers for east-west routes, even for north-south.
For example, NH 1 runs east-west near Jammu & Kashmir, while NH 8 runs north-south near Delhi. Highways are numbered from east to west and south to north, with lower numbers closer to the poles.
Which highway is India’s top national route?
NH 44 is considered India’s No. 1 national highway, thanks to its length, traffic volume, and economic impact.
Stretching from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, it’s the busiest highway in the network, handling massive freight traffic and serving as a critical infrastructure backbone.
What’s India’s most important highway?
NH 27 is often called India’s top highway, thanks to its strategic role and heavy traffic.
Running 3,507 km from Porbandar in Gujarat to Silchar in Assam, it passes through seven states and is vital for trade and connectivity in western and northeastern India.
What’s India’s oldest highway?
The Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) is India’s oldest highway, with roots stretching back over 2,500 years.
Known historically as Uttarapath and Sarak-e-Azam, it once linked Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent, running through cities like Peshawar, Lahore, Delhi, and Kolkata.
Where does National Highway 7 start and end?
National Highway 7 (mostly absorbed into NH 44) originally ran from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
This was one of India’s longest highways at 2,369 km, passing through cities like Jabalpur, Nagpur, and Bengaluru. Many sections are now part of NH 44.
Which is India’s shortest national highway?
NH 47A is India’s shortest national highway, clocking in at just 5.9 km between Kundanoor Junction and Kochi Port in Kerala.
Despite its tiny size, it’s a critical connector for cargo moving in and out of Kochi Port, playing a big role in local logistics.
How many national highways does India have?
As of 2026, India has 87 national highways, covering roughly 115,435 km in total.
That number can shift with renumbering or new route declarations. These highways form the core of India’s road network, tying together every state and major city.
Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.
