Classification of Roads in India

Roads are classified in India on a different basis. The most popular system of classification of roads is as per the Nagpur Road Plan.

Classification of Roads as per Nagpur Road Plan

1. National Highways – NH
   These are the roads that connect the capitals of different states. National Highways are developed and maintained by NHAI – National Highway Authority of India
2. State Highways – SH
   These roads are connecting the major districts within the state. State highways are the arterial roads of a state. The responsibility of constructing and maintain the State Highways is done by state Public Works Department. (PWD)
3. Major District Roads – MDR
   These roads are important roads within the district itself and connect the production units with marketplaces or either a State Highway or a National Highway.
4. Other District Roads – ODR
   These roads serve the local public along with serving local production unit. Other District Roads are connecting local production units to the marketplace.
5. Village Roads – VR
   Village roads connect the villages to the nearer higher category of roads.

Modified Road Classification as per the Third 20 year Road Plan

The third 20 year Road plan is also known as Lucknow Road Plan. As per third 20 year road plan roads are classified as

1. Primary system – This system comprises the National Highways and State Highways
2. Secondary system – The secondary system consists of two categories of roads.
   • State highways
   • Major District Roads
3. Tertiary system or rural roads – The tertiary system has two category of roads and consists Other District Road and Village Roads.

Classification of Urban Roads as per Lucknow Road Plan

The roads within a city or town are falling in either of the following categories.

1. Arterial streets
2. Sub-Arterial Streets
3. Collector Streets
4. Local Streets

Expressways in India

The concept of the Expressways in India was first introduced in third 20 year road development plan. At that time, the decision to develop 2000 KM of expressway was taken.

Classification of Roads as per Seasonality

1. All Weather Roads – These roads are accessible during all the type of weather.
2. Fair Weather Roads – These types of road become useless during heavy rain. Monsoon season heavily affects the accessibility of fair weather road during rainy days.

Important Resources for a transportation engineer

Central Road Research Institute

Official Website of National Highway Authority of India – NHAI

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