The Longest Highway in India: NH-44

In India, the longest highway is the National Highway 44 (NH-44), which stretches a vast distance of approximately 3745 kilometers (2320 miles) from Srinagar in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. This highway is part of the wider NHDP North-South Corridor Project, making it a crucial component of India's major road network.

The Evolution of Highway Designation

Until the adoption of a new numbering system in 2010, NH-7 was the longest highway. At that time, NH-7 ran from Varanasi to Kanyakumari, passing through various significant cities and states, including:

Varanasi Jabalpur Nagpur Hyderabad Bangalore Madurai Kanyakumari

However, with the introduction of a new highway numbering system, NH-7 was renumbered as NH-44, effectively becoming the longest highway in India. This renumbering led to some confusion, but NH-44 is now the official and recognized designation for this major highway.

NH-44: The Current Designation

NH-44, previously known as NH-7, originates from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and terminates in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. It spans across several major Indian states, passing through:

Jammu and Kashmir (JK) Punjab Uttarakhand Haryana Delhi Uttar Pradesh (UP) Maharashtra Telangana Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu

This highway is an integral part of the North-South Corridor Project and the Golden Quadrilateral initiative, further emphasizing its importance to the country's transportation infrastructure.

Key Features of NH-44

Some key features of NH-44 include:

Length: 3745 kilometers (2320 miles) Origin: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Terminus: Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Interstates Covered: JK, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu Significant Cities: Varanasi, Jabalpur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Madurai

The highway plays a vital role in connecting major cities and states, facilitating easier transportation and commerce across these regions. It is one of the longest and most important national highways in India, making it a preferred route for long-distance travel and cargo transportation.

Conclusion

While NH-7 was once the longest national highway in India, the introduction of a new numbering system has made NH-44 the current longest highway. Spanning from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, NH-44 is an essential part of India's transportation infrastructure, contributing significantly to the economic development of the country. As India continues to grow and modernize its transportation system, highways like NH-44 will remain crucial.