Shoulder width of road in india as per IRC

The shoulder width of roads in India is typically specified by the Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines. The recommended shoulder width can vary depending on the type of road and its classification. The typical shoulder widths are as follows:

1. National Highways (NH): For plain and rolling terrain: 3.0 meters (1.5 meters on each side) and for steep terrain: 1.5 meters (0.75 meters on each side).

2. State Highways (SH): For plain and rolling terrain: 2.5 meters (1.25 meters on each side) and for steep terrain: 1.5 meters (0.75 meters on each side).

3. Other District Roads (ODR): For plain and rolling terrain: 1.5 meters (0.75 meters on each side) and for steep terrain: 1.0 meter (0.5 meters on each side).

Road construction department in India have set up Indian Road Congress (IRC). The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is the Apex Body of Highway Engineers in the country give the guidelines, rule and regulation of several kinds of roads contraction. It is updated several times with new guidelines. In India, all matters related to Geometric design and structure are handle according to to IRC (Indian Road Congress).

Shoulder width of road in india as per IRC
Shoulder width of road in india as per IRC

There is several kinds of Road in india constructed by central and state government in urban and rural areas, such as National Highway (NH), state highway (SH), MDR (major district road), ODR (other District road) and village road (VR). It will be constructed in plain or mountainous steep & hilly area. Generally National Highway constructed by Central Government of India consists of 2 Lane, 3 Lane, 4 lane and 6 Lane Road. State highway, MDR, ODR and village road constructed by State Government consist of single lane, 2 Lane, 3 Lane and 4 lane road.

In this article we know about width of shoulder for 1 lane, 2 lane, 3 lane, 4 lane, 6 lane road in india is per IRC and also read about shoulder width for village road (VR), NH/SH, MDR and ODRs.

Shoulder are provided along the road edge and on intended for accommodation of stop vehicles, serve as an emergency lane for vehicles and provide lateral support. Shoulder should be strong enough to bear the weight of fully loaded truck even in wet condition. Shoulder width should be required for giving working space. It is used during crossing and overtaking.

Width of shoulder depending on available space, number of traffic lane, type of road National Highway/ state highway, elevation of surface such as plain, mountainous, steep or hilly area. In Mountain area it is quite difficult to construct a road so width of shoulder is minimised and their width is less than in plain area.

Shoulder width of road in india as per IRC

Shoulder width of road in india is per IRC:- in india, as per the rules & guidelines of Indian Road Congress (IRC), ideal and standard shoulder width of road should be 4.6 m and minimum is about 2.5 m wide at both sides along the edge of road. Shoulder width of road is 4.125m wide prescribed for NH/ SH, of single lane pavement and for 2 lane it should be 2.5m wide. For village road this is 2.25m wide. This is quite sufficient for accommodation of stop vehicles, serve as an emergency lane and used during crossing and overtaking.

Width of shoulder for NH/ SH:- in india, as per the rules & guidelines of Indian Road Congress (IRC), ideal and standard shoulder width of National Highway (NH) & state highway (SH) in plain area should be 4.6 m wide at both sides along the edge of road for single lane, 2 lane, 3 lane, 4 lane & 6 lane road, and in mountain area it should be 1.25m wide. A minimum width of 2.5 m is recommended for 2-lane rural highways in India. Parking lanes are provided in urban lanes for side parking. The shoulder width should be adequate for giving working space around a stopped vehicle.

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Width of shoulder for village road:- in india, as per the rules & guidelines of Indian Road Congress (IRC), ideal and standard shoulder width of village road in plain area should be 2.25m wide at both sides along the edge of road of single lane pavement and in mountain steep area it should be 0.5m wide. In any case when local traffic condition demand the pavement can be marginally widened.

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Width of shoulder for MDR:- in india, as per the rules & guidelines of Indian Road Congress (IRC), ideal and standard shoulder width of major district road (MDR) in plain area should be 2.625m wide at both sides along the edge of road of single lane pavement and in mountain steep area it should be 0.5m wide. A minimum width of 1m is recommended for 2-lane rural MDR in India.

Width of shoulder for ODR:- in india, as per the rules & guidelines of Indian Road Congress (IRC), ideal and standard shoulder width of others district road (ODRs) in plain area should be 1.875m wide at both sides along the edge of road of single lane pavement and in mountain steep area it should be 0.5m wide. A width of 2.5m is recommended for 2-lane rural ODRs in India.