Centre to Slow State Highway-to-National Highway Conversions

13 Feb 2026 CW Team

The policy shift emerged from a high-level highways sector review chaired by the prime minister and directed the transport ministry to prepare a framework by the end of July that reduces reliance on reclassification of state highways as national highways.

Over the past 11 years nearly 55,000 kilometres of state highways were reclassified as national highways, expanding the national network from about 91,300 kilometres in 2014 to roughly 0.146 million (mn) kilometres today, an increase of around 60 per cent. The conversions were part of an aggressive expansion drive that emphasised extending the national grid of roads across states, but officials now judge that further mileage additions should be guided by economic returns and freight movement patterns.

The transport ministry has been asked to design detailed criteria and dashboard metrics to assess which state highways merit national status and which can be upgraded under state or regional programmes. The framework is expected to include freight tonnage thresholds, connectivity to industrial estates and ports, projected traffic growth and cost benefit benchmarks to prioritise projects. Emphasis will be placed on developing greenfield expressways and dedicated freight corridors to reduce transit times and enhance supply chain reliability.

States will need to align their project pipelines and funding requests with the new economy-driven priorities and demonstrate how proposed conversions will support manufacturing, exports or major logistics nodes. The centre may continue selective conversions where strategic national connectivity is demonstrably justified, but the broad presumption in favour of automatic nationalisation of state highways has been abandoned. The transport ministry will present the framework and implementation plan by the stated deadline.

The Union government has decided to slow the routine conversion of state highways into national highways and to pursue an economy-centric infrastructure model that prioritises freight efficiency and industrial connectivity. The policy shift emerged from a high-level highways sector review chaired by the prime minister and directed the transport ministry to prepare a framework by the end of July that reduces reliance on reclassification of state highways as national highways. Over the past 11 years nearly 55,000 kilometres of state highways were reclassified as national highways, expanding the national network from about 91,300 kilometres in 2014 to roughly 0.146 million (mn) kilometres today, an increase of around 60 per cent. The conversions were part of an aggressive expansion drive that emphasised extending the national grid of roads across states, but officials now judge that further mileage additions should be guided by economic returns and freight movement patterns. The transport ministry has been asked to design detailed criteria and dashboard metrics to assess which state highways merit national status and which can be upgraded under state or regional programmes. The framework is expected to include freight tonnage thresholds, connectivity to industrial estates and ports, projected traffic growth and cost benefit benchmarks to prioritise projects. Emphasis will be placed on developing greenfield expressways and dedicated freight corridors to reduce transit times and enhance supply chain reliability. States will need to align their project pipelines and funding requests with the new economy-driven priorities and demonstrate how proposed conversions will support manufacturing, exports or major logistics nodes. The centre may continue selective conversions where strategic national connectivity is demonstrably justified, but the broad presumption in favour of automatic nationalisation of state highways has been abandoned. The transport ministry will present the framework and implementation plan by the stated deadline.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

Infrastructure Urban

08 May 2026

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Infrastructure Transport

08 May 2026

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..