Central Government Realigns National Highway Management in Rajasthan

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued two significant notifications on August 20, 2025, which came into force upon their publication in the Official Gazette. These notifications, S.O. 3827(E) and S.O. 3828(E), pertain to the management and execution of works on National Highways, primarily affecting the State of Rajasthan. The first notification involved the entrustment of a specific stretch of a National Highway to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), while the second amended an earlier notification to delegate certain functions to the State Government of Rajasthan.

Under S.O. 3827(E), issued in exercise of powers conferred by section 11 of the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988, the Central Government formally entrusted a 98.350-kilometre stretch of the New National Highway No. 11, specifically the Myajlar - Jaisalmer Section located within the State of Rajasthan, to the National Highways Authority of India. This entrustment places the responsibility for the development, maintenance, and management of this particular section under the purview of the NHAI, an autonomous agency responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways in India.

Concurrently, S.O. 3828(E) introduced amendments to a principal notification, S.O. 1096(E), which was originally published on August 4, 2005, and last amended on July 29, 2025. This amendment, issued under section 5 of the National Highways Act, 1956, involved the substitution of serial number 21 in the Schedule of the earlier notification. The revised entry delineates a comprehensive list of National Highways and their specific sections within Rajasthan, for which the Central Government directed that the functions related to the execution of works would now be exercisable by the State Government of Rajasthan.

The delegation of these functions to the State Government was made subject to a crucial condition: the State Government must, in the exercise of such functions, comply with all rules currently in force under the National Highways Act, 1956. The extensive list of National Highways covered by this delegation includes various sections of NH No. 8, 11, 11-A, 11-A Extension, 11B, 11C, 12, 14, 15, 65, 71B, 79, 89, 90, 112, 113, 116, as well as several new National Highways (e.g., new NH No. 11, 25 extn, 54, 58 Extn, 158, 162A, 162 Extn, 168A, 248A, 311, 325, 458, 552 Extended, 709 Extn, 921, 927A, and 954), with specific chainages and sections explicitly excluded from this delegation, all located within Rajasthan.

The legislative intent behind these notifications appears to be a strategic realignment of responsibilities for National Highway infrastructure development and maintenance. The entrustment of specific new highway stretches to the NHAI reflects a policy focus on centralized management for key national corridors, leveraging the NHAI's expertise and resources for large-scale projects. Conversely, the delegation of functions for a vast network of existing National Highways to the State Government aims to enhance local oversight and efficiency in project execution, allowing for more responsive management tailored to regional needs. This approach addresses potential administrative bottlenecks and aims to streamline the implementation of road projects. The legislation provided: “the Central Government hereby directs that the functions in relation to the execution of works pertaining to each of the National Highways described in column (2) of the Table hereto annexed shall be exercisable by the State Government specified in column (3) of the Table against each highway subject to the condition that the State Government concerned shall in the exercise of such functions be bound to comply with the rules for the time being in force under the said Act”, underscoring the principle of delegated authority coupled with accountability to central regulations.

This amendment to the 2005 notification signifies an evolution in the statutory framework governing National Highways. The earlier legal position, as established by the principal notification, outlined a specific division of responsibilities. The current amendment addresses any statutory gaps or limitations identified over time, particularly concerning the practicalities of executing works across a diverse and expanding National Highway network. By updating the list of highways and sections for which the State Government is responsible, the Central Government ensures that the administrative arrangements remain current and effective. This move facilitates better coordination between central and state agencies, aiming for improved infrastructure delivery and maintenance across Rajasthan's extensive road network.

Keywords: National Highways, Rajasthan, NHAI, Road Transport, Infrastructure, Delegation, Central Government, State Government, Notification, Road Development
Geo Tags: India, Rajasthan
District: Not Applicable