THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The national highways in the state have been renumbered as part of the Union Government’s initiative to give easier and more scientific base than the current highway numbering system. The Ministry of Roads, Surface Transport and Highways have adopted a systematic numbering of national highways which will indicate the direction of the highways - whether it is East-West or North-South including their geographical location.
According to the new numbering system, the national highway starting from Panavel in Maharashtra and passing through Panaji, Karvar, Udupi, Mangalore entering Kerala has been numbered NH-66 and extends up to Thiruvananthapuram in the state via Kasargod, Kannur, Ponnani, Edappalli and Ernakulam.
The NH-66 would terminate at NH-48 near Kanyakumari.
The highway starting from its junction with NH-66 near Kozhikode and terminating near Kollegal in Karnataka via Kalpetta, Gundalpet and Mysore has been numbered as NH-766. The highway starting from its junction with NH-66 near Feroke and terminating at its junction near Palakkad would hereafter be known as NH-966.
The highway starting near Kalamassery after crossing NH-66 and terminating at Vallarpadom has been designated as NH-966 A. The highway starting from its junction at NH-66 and terminating at Wellington Island has been named NH-966 B.
The highway starting near Salem from NH-44 connecting Coimbatore to Ernakulam via Palakkad and Thrissur will hereafter be NH-544 while that which connects Kollam and Thirumangalam via Kottarakkara, Punalur and Thenkasi will be known as NH-744.
The highway starting from NH-744 near Kottarakkara and ending at its junction with NH-83 near Dindigul connecting Adoor, Kottayam, Kanjirappalli, Peerumed, Kumuli and Theni will be known as NH-183.
The highway starting from its junction with NH-66 near Kochi connecting Ernakulam, Moovattupuzha, Devikulam, Theni, Madurai, Tiruppuvanam, Povandhi, Sivaganga, Kalaiyarkoil Tiruvadanai and terminating at Tondi point in Tamil Nadu will be known as NH-85.