Consider the following statements.1. National Highways constitute less...
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A major part of NH 7 which is now called NH 44 covers the North-South Corridor of NHDP and it is officially listed as running over 2,369 km (1,472 mi) from Varanasi to Kanyakumari. It is the longest national highway in India.
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The National Highways constitute only two per cent of the total road length but carry 40 per cent of the road traffic. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is the apex body to improve the quality of the National Highways.
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It was constituted by an act of Parliament, the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988. It is responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways entrusted to it and for matters connected or incidental thereto.
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Consider the following statements.1. National Highways constitute less...
Statement 1: National Highways constitute less than 2% of the total road length but carry about 40% of the traffic.
Explanation:
- National Highways are the major road networks in India that connect important cities and regions across the country.
- According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, as of 2020, the total length of National Highways in India is around 1,39,123 kilometers.
- In comparison, the total road length in India is approximately 66,590,000 kilometers.
- Therefore, the percentage of National Highways in the total road length can be calculated as: (1,39,123 / 66,590,000) * 100 ≈ 0.21% (approximately 2%)
- This verifies that National Highways constitute less than 2% of the total road length.
- However, despite their relatively small length, National Highways carry a significant amount of traffic.
- It is estimated that National Highways in India carry around 40% of the total traffic.
- This is due to their strategic locations, connecting major cities, industrial areas, ports, and border areas.
- The high traffic volume on National Highways is also a result of their better infrastructure, wider lanes, and controlled access.
- Therefore, statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2: National Highway No. 7 is the longest highway in India.
Explanation:
- National Highway No. 7, also known as NH 7, is one of the longest highways in India.
- It stretches from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, covering a distance of approximately 2,369 kilometers.
- NH 7 passes through several major cities, including Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Madurai.
- However, it is not the longest highway in India.
- The honor of being the longest highway in India goes to National Highway No. 44, also known as NH 44.
- NH 44 stretches from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, covering a distance of approximately 3,745 kilometers.
- Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.
Conclusion:
- Only statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.
- Therefore, the correct option is a) Both 1 and 2.
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