New Delhi, September 24, 2026: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released comprehensive guidelines for planning and designing high-speed, access-controlled National Highways, excluding Expressways. The new framework aims to ensure that upcoming high-speed corridors are better planned, safer, greener and equipped to meet future traffic requirements. The guidelines will apply to all upcoming four-lane and six-lane Greenfield and Brownfield high-speed access-controlled National Highways.
Data-driven planning for future traffic
The guidelines emphasise comprehensive traffic assessment and future demand planning at the project planning stage. Traffic projections will consider existing and diverted traffic along with expected growth in freight movement linked to economic and commercial activities. Toll data and other reliable sources will also be used to make traffic estimates more accurate. The approach is intended to help ensure that highway infrastructure and capacity are planned according to projected traffic requirements.
Technology-enabled construction
NHAI has emphasised the use of modern technology during the construction of high-speed National Highways to improve quality, accuracy and monitoring. The guidelines provide for the use of Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AI-MC) technology for the construction of embankments and highway pavements, in accordance with applicable Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) guidelines. The adoption of these measures is expected to facilitate technology-enabled construction, supporting greater consistency, quality control and monitoring during National Highway development.
Multi Lane Free Flow tolling to be incorporated
The guidelines also provide for provisions to facilitate the installation of Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling systems on high-speed corridors, in line with the Government of India’s vision for technology-enabled toll collection. Necessary provisions for implementing MLFF systems will be incorporated during the planning and design of eligible high-speed National Highway corridors.
Landscaping and plantation integrated into planning
Environmental measures will form an integral part of highway project planning under the new guidelines. Landscaping and plantation will be planned at suitable locations, including loop areas, spaces below flyovers, medians and other appropriate locations. Planning will take into account local climate, topography and environmental conditions. Drip irrigation systems will also be provided on National Highway medians to promote efficient water use and simplify the maintenance of plantations.
Improved drainage and water management
Comprehensive drainage planning will be incorporated into the Detailed Project Report (DPR) process.
The planning will identify suitable rainwater disposal points and arrangements for safely managing water from the highway as well as surrounding areas. Water harvesting structures will also be provided in loop areas and other suitable locations, particularly where there is no natural outlet for rainwater.
Special arrangements will be made to manage water around underpasses, flyovers, depressed medians and other highway structures. These measures are aimed at preventing waterlogging and reducing the risk of water-related damage to highway infrastructure. Drainage plans will clearly identify water disposal points and provide suitable arrangements for managing rainwater generated on the high-speed National Highway corridors and from surrounding areas.
Focus on safer and future-ready highway corridors
The new guidelines bring together traffic planning, construction technology, modern tolling, environmental measures and water management as key elements of high-speed National Highway development. NHAI said the guidelines will contribute to the development of safer, more sustainable and future-ready high-speed National Highway corridors across the country.