**Policy Summary: Conversion of State Highways to National Highways in Maharashtra**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' response to a parliamentary question regarding the potential conversion of State Highways (SH) SH213 (Digras-Pusad) and SH232 (Pusad-Umarkhed) in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra into National Highways (NH).
The Ministry outlines the broad principles guiding the conversion of SHs to NHs, which include:
* Connectivity: Linking adjacent countries, the National Capital to State Capitals, State Capitals to each other, major ports, ports identified for development, large industrial centers, and tourist centers.
* Strategic Importance: Roads with important strategic requirements in hilly and isolated areas.
* Economic Impact: Arterial roads enabling significant reductions in travel distance and substantial economic growth.
* Regional Development: Roads facilitating access to large backward areas and hilly regions.
* Synergy with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).
The Ministry receives proposals from State Governments and Union Territories, including Maharashtra, for the declaration and upgradation of State roads as new NHs. Decisions are based on the aforementioned principles, connectivity needs, traffic density, inter-se priority, and synergy with the PM GatiShakti NMP.
Currently, the declaration of SH213 and SH232 in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra as NHs is not under consideration. The responsibility for the development and maintenance of State Roads, including State Highways, rests with the concerned State Government.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of the national highways network.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH: Member of Parliament who asked the question regarding the conversion of state highways into national highways.
Maharashtra: A state in India where the proposed highway conversion is located.
National Highways (NHs): The primary network of highways in India, maintained by the central government.
State Highways (SHs): Highways maintained by the state governments in India.
SH213 Digras Pusad: A state highway in Maharashtra proposed for conversion into a national highway.
SH232 Pusad Umarkhed: A state highway in Maharashtra proposed for conversion into a national highway.
Yavatmal district of Maharashtra: The district in Maharashtra where SH213 and SH232 are located.
SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India.
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan NMP: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1988
ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY, 2025
CONVERTING SH-213 AND 232 INTO NH
†1988. SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formulated any policy for
converting State Highways (SHs) into National Highways (NHs), if
so, the number of SHs in Maharashtra proposed to be converted into
NHs thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to convert SH-213 (Digras–
Pusad) and SH-232 (Pusad–Umarkhed) in Yavatmal district of
Maharashtra into an NH, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government also has any plan to upgrade these
roads to the standards of NHs,
(d) if so, whether any proposal has been submitted to the Union
Government in this regard, if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government would prioritise the decision in view of
the geographical, industrial and social importance of the said
routes, if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the timeline and budget provision for converting SHs into NHs in
Maharashtra?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) to (f) State roads, including State Highways (SHs), are
declared as National Highways (NHs) from time to time on the basis
of well-established broad principles, including: -
i. Connecting adjacent countries, National Capital with State
Capitals / mutually the State Capitals, major ports, and ports
identified for development by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping &
Waterways, large industrial centers or tourist centers.
ii. Roads having important strategic requirement in hilly and
isolated area.
iii. Arterial roads which enable sizeable reduction in travel
distance and achieve substantial economic growth.
iv. Roads which help in opening up large tracts of backward area
and hilly region.
v. Synergy with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP).
Government receives proposals from various State
Governments / UTs, including from the State of Maharashtra, from
time to time, for declaration / upgradation of State roads, including
SHs, as new NHs. Decisions are taken based on the broad principles
of declaration of NHs, requirement of connectivity, traffic density,
inter-se priority and synergy with PM GatiShakti National Master
Plan (NMP).
At present, declaration of SH-213 (Digras–Pusad) and SH-232
(Pusad–Umarkhed) in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra as NH is not
under consideration.
Responsibility for development and maintenance of State
Roads including State Highways lies with concerned State
Government.
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