The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has formally transferred the entire stretch of National Highway-48 falling within the National Capital Territory of Delhi to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), according to two Gazette notifications issued on June 22, 2026. The move aims to streamline management of one of India's busiest highway corridors by placing it under a single agency.
Notifications formalise entrustment
The first notification, issued under Section 11 of the NHAI Act, 1988, entrusts NHAI with the Dhaula Kuan–Delhi/Haryana border section of NH-48, covering the entire highway stretch located within Delhi. A second notification amends a 1999 notification by omitting the earlier entry for the Delhi-to-Delhi/Haryana border section from km 0 to km 11, clearing the way for the fresh entrustment. Officials said the amendment ensures administrative clarity and single-agency oversight.
Strategic importance of NH-48
NH-48 is among India's most heavily trafficked national highways, connecting Delhi with Gurugram, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. The route carries substantial volumes of passenger vehicles, freight traffic and interstate movement daily. Within Delhi, the corridor passes through key urban stretches and acts as a critical link between the capital and Haryana, making it one of the most strategically significant highway segments in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Impact on management and development
The entrustment is expected to strengthen NHAI's role in planning, executing and maintaining infrastructure works along the corridor. With a single agency overseeing the entire Delhi stretch, authorities are expected to have greater operational flexibility in undertaking road improvement works, traffic management measures and future capacity augmentation projects. The consolidation is expected to improve coordination and efficiency in managing the highway's daily operations and long-term upgrades.
