Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 21: 218 national highways in India have been allotted fresh numbers. As a result, national highway (NH) 17, which connects Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, and is considered the lifeline of the coastal belt in these states, will henceforth be known as NH 66. Likewise, NH 48 between the city and Bangalore will come to be recognized as NH 75.

The department of national highways has allotted new numbers to the existing highways, with a view to scientifically identifying them, after dividing the country into north, south, west and east zones. It is gathered that the total length of national highways, which was 21,378 kms at the time the country gained independence, has increased to 70,934 kms as on date. Another reason for giving new numbers is that the department proposes to increase the total length of these highways to one lac kms within a short period.

National highway 13 between the city and Shimoga via Moodbidri and Karkala has been given the new number 169. The NH which begins from Bantwal and  culminates at Tumkur after passing through Beltangady, Moodigere, Belur, Banavar and Arasikere, has been named NH 73. Although notification about these changes had been issued long back, the people had no proper knowledge about the same. Change in highway numbers can result in complications in deciding cases and settlement of insurance claims, because of technical problems arising out of mentioning wrong NH numbers in first information reports and while conducting of inquest.