Nepal/Roads

Road Classification in Nepal

Roads in Nepal are classified according to different guidelines & standards developed by the government of Nepal.
The major guidelines are Nepal Road Standard 2070 (NRS 2070), Nepal Rural Road Standard 2071 (NRRS 2071), Nepal Urban Road Standard 2076 (NURS 2076), etc.

Roads Classification as per NRS 2070, NRRS 2071 and URS 2076

Nepal Road Standard 2070	Nepal Rural Road Standard 2071	Nepal Urban Road Standard 2076
National Highways Feeder Roads District Roads Urban Roads	District Road Core Network (DRCN) Urban Roads	Arterial Roads (Path) Sub-arterial Roads (Sadak) Collector Roads (Marga) Local Roads (Upa-Marga)
In Nepal, the overall management of national highways & feeder roads comes under the responsibility of the Department of Road (DOR). And these roads are collectively called Strategic Road Network (SRN). The district roads & urban roads fall under the responsibility of the Department of Local Infrastructure Development & Agricultural Roads (DOLIDAR). And these roads are collectively called Local Road Network (LRN).

National Highways (new Numbering)

• National Highways(new numbering)

National Highway (NH)

These are the major roads running east to west & north to south of the country.

Official Class	Id ref=*	OSM tag	Description	Notes
National Highways	NH	highway=trunk highway=primary highway=secondary	Highways which have heavy traffic intensity and connect different cities, regions and tourist centers. Example includes the primary highways: Mahendra Highway, Tribhuvan Highway, Arniko Highway, Siddhartha Highway, Prithvi Highway

List of National Highways

#	Sign	Name (native Nepali)	Name (English)	Start Point	End Point	km DOR	Ref	Relation	km OSM	Remarks / Note
1		महेन्द्र राजमार्ग	Mahendra Highway	Kakarbhitta, Jhapa	Gaddachauki, Bhimdatta	1028	NH01	1508607215086072	1032
2		मेची राजमार्ग	Mechi Highway	Kechana	Olangchungola	352	NH02	1508545015085450	324
3		पुष्‍पलाल राजमार्ग (मध्यपहाडी राजमार्ग)	Pushpalal Highway (MidHill Highway)	Chiyo Bhanjyang	Jhulaghat	1787	NH03	1508618915086189	1662
4			National Highway 04 (Nepal)	Birtamod	Mechi pul, Bhadrapur	15	NH04	1509015415090154	16
5		हुलाकी राजमार्ग	Postal Highway	Bhadrapur	Beldandi	1016	NH05	1509167415091674	915
6		तमोर कोरिडोर	Tamor Corridor	Chatara, Barahakshetra Municipality	Ganesh Chowk, Chyangthapu	135	NH06	1509225515092255	110	Operational + under construction
7			National Highway 07 (Nepal)	Chatara, Barahakshetra Municipality	Kanchanrup	66	NH07	1509263015092630	44	Under Construction
8		कोशी राजमार्ग	Koshi Highway	Rani, Biratnagar	Kimathanka	320	NH08	1509307415093074	208
9		मदन भण्डारी राजमार्ग	Madan Bhandari Highway	Bahundangi	Rupal	1200	NH09	1509337015093370	1003
10			National Highway 10 (Nepal)	Deurali	Bohoratar	92	NH10	1509447115094471	72
11			National Highway 11 (Nepal)	Phikkal,	Chaubise	19	NH11	1509448315094483	17
12		सुनकोशी कोरिडोर	Sunkoshi Corridor	Ghurmi	Chatara	163	NH12	1530727515307275	113
13		वि.पी. राजमार्ग	BP Highway	Bardibas	Dhulikhel	160	NH13	1509457515094575	160
14			National Highway 14 (Nepal)	Kunauli	Basaha	100	NH14	1509460215094602	35
15			National Highway 15 (Nepal)	Gwarko	Dahaltar	128	NH15	1509549015095490	43
16		सगरमाथा राजमार्ग	Sagarmatha Highway	Thadi	Solu	144	NH16	1509557415095574	144
17		पृथ्वी राजमार्ग	Prithvi Highway	Naubise	Pokhara	173	NH17	1509563615095636	173
18		पासाङ् लाह्मु राजमार्ग	Pasang Lhamu Highway	Balaju, Kathamandu	Syabrubesi	65	NH18	1509569215095692	111
19			National Highway 19 (Nepal)	Ridi	Pyuthan	220	NH19	1509574215095742	122
20		शिद्धिचरण राजमार्ग	Siddhicharan Highway	Madar, Siraha	Salleri, Solududhkunda Municipality	193	NH20	1509627115096271	193
21			National Highway 21 (Nepal)	Sitapaila	Dharke	24	NH21	1509632515096325	24
22			National Highway 22 (Nepal)	Jatahi	Dhalkebar	48	NH22	1509640415096404	40
23			National Highway 23 (Nepal)	Diktel	Khadichaur	291	NH23	1509707415097074	221
24			National Highway 24 (Nepal)	Lalgadh	Bahunmara	29	NH24	1509785315097853	13
25		भानुभक्त आचार्य राजमार्ग	Bhanubhakta Acharya Highway	Dumre	Chame	108	NH25	1509793615097936	104
26			National Highway 26 (Nepal)	Jamunibas, Mithila Municipality	Janakpur	19	NH26	1509798815097988	29
27			National Highway 27 (Nepal)	Sitalpata	Sangrahi	40	NH27	1509802715098027	42
28		तामाकोशी कोरिडोर	Tamakoshi Corridor	Bhittamod, Jaleshwar	Lyapche Gaun	281	NH28	1509811315098113	176
29			National Highway 29 (Nepal)	Kanchanban	Health post	30	NH29	1509837115098371	27
30			National Highway 30 (Nepal)	Janakpur	Pushpalpur	36	NH30	1509840915098409	29
31			National Highway 31 (Nepal)	Dolalghat	Chautara	25	NH31	1509843915098439	25
32			National Highway 32 (Nepal)	Nawalpur	Sonbarsha	30	NH32	1509846815098468	27
33		काठमाडौं-तराई द्रुतमार्ग	Kathmandu–Terai Expressway	Nijgadh	Kathmandu	76	NH33	1509853615098536	60
34		अरनिको राजमार्ग	Araniko Highway	Kathmandu	Kodari	112	NH34	1509898015098980	113
35			National Highway 35 (Nepal)	Piluhawa Marmat	Martihawa	25	NH35	1509943215099432	29
36		बिरेन्द्र राजमार्ग	Birendra Highway	Chandranigahapur	Gaur	45	NH36	1509944615099446	44
37		कान्ती राजमार्ग	Kanti Highway	Hetauda	Ekantakuna, Kathmandu	86	NH37	1509947015099470	82
38		काठमाडौं बाहिरी चक्रपथ	Kathmandu Outer Ringroad	(Kathmandu Valley)	(Kathmandu Valley)	68	NH38	1509962115099621	4
39		काठमाडौं चक्रपथ	Kathmandu Ringroad	(Kathmandu Valley)	(Kathmandu Valley)	27	NH39	1509964615099646	27
40			National Highway 40 (Nepal)	Samakhushi	Bidur	26	NH40	1509973915099739	25
41		त्रिभुवन राजपथ (बाई रोड)	Tribhuvan Highway	Sirsiya	Kathmandu	155	NH41	1510102615101026	170
42		त्रिशुली कोरिडोर	Trishuli Corridor	Thodi	Rasuwagadhi	197	NH42	1510117815101178	133
43		कालु पाण्डे राजमार्ग	Kalu Pandey Highway	Malekhu	Salylantar	57	NH43	1510159915101599	59
44		मदन आश्रित राजमार्ग	Madan Ashrit Highway	Thori	Roila	300	NH44	1510169615101696	140
45			National Highway 45 (Nepal)	Khairenitar	Kawasoti	106	NH45	1510173015101730	67
46			National Highway 46 (Nepal)	Bhumahi	Parasi	9	NH46	1510174015101740	6
47		सिद्धार्थ राजमार्ग	Siddhartha Highway	Belahiya	Pokhara	184	NH47	1510178915101789	182
48		कालीगण्डकी कोरिडोर	Kaligandaki Corridor	Tansen	Korla	254	NH48	1510210615102106	300
49		बडिगाड कोरिडोर	Badigad Corridor	Bartung	Kharwang, Wami Taksar	98	NH49	1510219115102191	40
50			National Highway 50 (Nepal)	Jitpur, Kapilvastu Municipality	Khunuwa, Maryadpur, Rupandehi	30	NH50	1510455115104551	33
51			National Highway 51 (Nepal)	Taulihawa	Sandhikharka	83	NH51	1510569715105697	80
52		लुम्बिनी राजमार्ग	Lumbini Highway	Kakrahwa	Dhorpatan	222	NH52	1512492615124926	220
53		स्वर्गद्वारी राजमार्ग	Swargadwari Highway	Bhalubang	Darbot, Rolpa Municipality	130	NH53	1514434615144346	129
54		शहिद राजमार्ग	Shahid Highway	Koilabas	Lukum, Putha Uttarganga	211	NH54	1514490015144900	191
55		राप्ती राजमार्ग	Rapti Highway	Ameliya	Musikot, Western Rukum	169	NH55	46557554655755	171
56		रारा राजमार्ग	Rara Highway	Tharmare	Chhayanath Rara	263	NH56	1517864415178644	126
57		भेरी कोरिडोर	Bheri Corridor	Bhotechaur, Gurbhakot	Marim, Dolpo Buddha	317	NH57	1519222715192227	202
58		कर्णाली राजमार्ग	Karnali Highway	Jamunaha, Narainapur	Hilsa	538	NH58	1525617515256175	403
59			National Highway 59 (Nepal)	Murtiya	Bayuli Nagma	154	NH59	1525631815256318	131
60		पञ्‍चकोशी राजमार्ग	Panchkoshi Highway	Surkhet	Nakchelagna, Chhayanath Rara	302	NH60	1525648215256482	183
61			National Highway 61 (Nepal)	Surkhet	Maanma	168	NH61	1525651515256515	140
62		दक्षिण सेती राजमार्ग	South Seti Highway	Khakraula	Chainpur, Bajhang	228	NH62	1525661315256613	75
63			National Highway 63 (Nepal)	Sanphebagar	Kolti	111	NH63	1525752315257523	98
64		जय पृथ्वी बहादुर सिहं राजमार्ग	Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh Highway	Khodpe	Chainpur, Bajhang	108	NH64	1525759415257594	105
65		सेती कोरिडोर	Seti Corridor	Khutliya	Uraibhanjyang	296	NH65	1525766315257663	121
66		महाकाली राजमार्ग	Mahakali Highway	Dhangadhi	Tinkar	350	NH66	1525767815257678	276
67		महाकाली कोरिडोर	Mahakali Corridor	Chandani	Jhulaghat	201	NH67	1525776415257764	5
68		भिमकाली राजमार्ग	Bhimkali Highway	Bhimad	Arunkhola	80	NH68	1525871415258714	95
69			National Highway 69 (Nepal)	Jagat Bhanjyang	Chapakot	42	NH69	1525899015258990	40
70			National Highway 70 (Nepal)	Seti Devon, Putalibazar	Aruchaur, Ghante Deurali	46	NH70	1526044815260448	33
71			National Highway 71 (Nepal)	Bhalubang	Kharwang, Badigad	170	NH71	1526062215260622	147
72			National Highway 72 (Nepal)	Dumkibas	Triveni	23	NH72	1526082615260826	7
73			National Highway 73 (Nepal)	Surunga	Lasunganj	25	NH73	1526234715262347	23
74			National Highway 74 (Nepal)	Ilam	Sandakpur	50	NH74	1526242715262427	28
75		स्वर्ण सगरमाथा चक्रपथ	Sworna Sagarmatha Ringroad	Okhaldhunga	Diktel	135	NH75	1526754215267542	76
76		फाल्गुनन्द राजमार्ग	Falgunanda Highway	Damak	Rabi, Panchthar	44	NH76	1526758515267585	38
77		बृहत् चक्रपथ (भक्तपुर चक्रपथ)	Brihat Chakrapath (Bharatpur Ringroad)	Bharatpur	Bharatpur	105	NH77	1526772115267721	59
78		दमक चक्रपथ	Damak Chakrapath	Damak	Damak	100	NH78	1526832315268323	24
79			National Highway 79 (Nepal)	Godar	Sindhuli	20	NH79	1526834215268342	24
80			National Highway 80 (Nepal)	Bastipur, Siraha	Belsot, Katari	30	NH80	1526835015268350	7

Corridors

When one or more roads run along a river, in Nepal it is called a corridor named after that river. There are some north-south corridors which include one or more highways.

National Corridors

#	Corridor Name	Length in km	Highway Ref No.
1	Koshi Corridor	385	NH06, NH02
2	Kaligandaki Corridor	444	NH47, NH48
3	Karnali Corridor	682	NH58
4	Mahakali Corridor	413	NH67, NH68

Feeder Roads (FR)

These are the roads connecting the district headquarters, major economic centers & tourism centers to national highways or other feeder roads.

• Here is a list of the Feeder Roads

District Roads (DR)

These are the small roads usually in villages that provide access to abutting (lie adjacent to) land with no movement. Usually, they give access to one or more villages to the District Headquarters.

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Nepal/District_Roads

City Roads (CR)

Urban Roads

The following roads forms the road network in urban areas like cities and towns. Sections of these roads carrying very high density are usually oneway (oneway=yes) and intersections are restricted by having a parallel highway=service road to collect local traffic. Major intersections are usually grade separated or are regulated using highway=traffic_signals. For all practical purpose the roads in an urban area can be considered as those roads that are enclosed within designated ring roads or bypass roads.

• Wikipedia - Hierarchy of Roads

Class	OSM tag	Description	Tagging guidelines	Photo
Primary Collector or Sub-arterial Roads	highway=primary	Road corridors that carries a huge volume of traffic between arterial roads and has a high density of public transport services. e.g. Maitighar to New Baneshwor, Tripureshwor to Kalimati, Thapathali to Jawlakhel etc. These roads often connect two relatively distant localities in urban areas. The lanes=* key should be used to specify the total number of traffic lanes.
Secondary Collector Roads	highway=secondary	Collector roads that carry lower volume of traffic and has either no public transport service or a lower density of public transport service. e.g. New Road to Basantapur, Mangalbazaar to Gwarko, New Baneshwor to Sankhamul, etc. These roads often connect two neighboring/nearby localities in urban areas. The lanes=* key should be used to specify the total number of traffic lanes. NOTE: This roads are often named as a सडक, e.g. बत्तीसपुतली सडक.

Local Roads

These roads are usually in the cities. They provide access to abutting residential or industrial properties.

The following roads cater to local traffic movement over short distances and feed traffic into bigger roads. Speed is usually restricted due to narrow widths, high number of intersections or by traffic calming devices like traffic_calming=bump. Access restrictions can be indicated by using the access=* tag.

Class	OSM tag	Description	Tagging guidelines	Photo
Unknown or unverified road	highway=road	Roads traced from satellite imagery for which a classification has not been determined yet. This is a temporary tag indicating further ground survey work is required.
Residential road	highway=residential	General residential roads in a planned locality. Wide enough to carry slow moving residential traffic. Wider residential roads with access to two cars at the same time will have lanes=2 key. Narrower residential roads through which only one car can pass at a time will have lanes=1 key. NOTE: A road name ending with the word "मार्ग" is a good indication that a road is residential.
Service ways	highway=service	Generally for access to (or inside) a building, industrial estate, universities, parks, etc. This is also commonly used for access to parking, driveways, and alleys.
Pedestrian	highway=pedestrian	Roads that are almost exclusively used by pedestrians and are out of bounds of motor vehicles in normal conditions, such as plazas and squares. e.g. Roads around Durbar squares, Ason etc. If motorcycles are allowed, it will be tagged motorcycle=yes.
Unpaved motorable tracks	highway=track +tracktype=*	Rough roads, often with unpaved/unsealed surfaces and normally for agricultural or forestry uses etc. Also used for unpaved roads in rural areas through which motorized vehicles such as tractors can pass. Use tracktype=* for tagging to describe the surface.

Pedestrian Paths

These roads are meant for pedestrians and cannot be used by motorized transport. Use bicycle=yes and access=* to specify restrictions.

Class	OSM tag	Description	Tagging guidelines	Photo
Footpaths	highway=footway	Paths designated for pedestrian use in residential areas. Should be used along with galli=yes for narrow 'galli' which cannot be accessed by vehicles (a taxi or bigger). Most of the time, a bicycle or a motorcycle will regularly pass through these streets, but they will still be called galli. For wider pedestrian roads, please use highway=pedestrian. NOTE: A road name ending with the word "गल्ली" is a good indication that the tags highway=footway and galli=yes should be used.
Multi-use paths	highway=path	'Kachcha' tracks or dirt paths not intended for motorized vehicles. Also used by stock/mules/yaks and suitable for mountain biking and hiking along with sac_scale=*

Highways in Rural & Mountainous Areas

In many parts of Nepal access by 4-wheeled vehicles may be very difficult or impossible. In those places the largest vehicle in use may be a motorcycle. Although a path may be clear on the imagery, it is often difficult to establish for certain whether it is used by vehicles with axles or not. However, it is important to try, as such information is highly useful for on-going humanitarian relief efforts.

Determining a path's highway type from imagery

The following rules of thumb can be used to decide whether a path can be used by 4-wheeled vehicles:

• Examine the path for changes in direction. Frequent 'kick-backs' indicate a pedestrian path.
• Examine the path for alternative paths. Pedestrian paths will often have many small divergent paths in places which get muddy or are liable to erosion. Similar places with vehicular traffic do not show clear divergent paths, but rather broaden out.
• Tracks and gravel roads will often show clear signs of the presence of 4-wheeled vehicles.
• Consider access. All highways upstream of a foot suspension bridge are very likely to be paths for pedestrians.
• Gradient. Estimate gradient of highways. OpenCycleMap will help. A gradient over 7% is unlikely to be a road regularly used by vehicles.
• River and stream crossings. The way in which a highway crosses rivers and streams can often provide useful cues as to the type of traffic using the highway. Pedestrian routes tend to try and avoid height loss so will contour upstream, whereas powered vehicles need a steady gradient and broad crossing place.

Good rural road (F123)

Tagging rural vehicular highways

In practice highway=unclassified is usually the best choice. Villagers in rural areas of a poor country are unlikely to be able to afford motor vehicles, and thus the primary functions of the roads are access from the main road network. Longer roads serving several villages may need a highway=tertiary to reflect a more important position in the road network. But often the initial tagging can only be refined once the rest of the highway network has been traced for context.

Sometimes highway=track is used, but in Nepal's classification scheme, it is typically used for agricultural roads. highway=road is sometimes used in OSM to indicate that more data are needed to correctly classify the road, but this is not appropriate when the data is likely to be needed in the short term, as in current 2015 Earthquake.

It is also important to tag unpaved roads as surface=unpaved and to identify river and stream crossings and mark these ford=yes, either as a node intersecting the waterway or as a section of the highway that crosses the waterway.

Good rural path

Tagging rural pedestrian paths

Generally highway=path is appropriate.

Pedestrian suspension bridges are commonly found. Add bridge=yes + bridge:structure=suspension + layer=1.