Roads in India have been of the utmost importance when it comes to the transportation of goods, freights and personnel. Firstly, India has a massive network of road connectivity, making it the second-largest road network in the world. Furthermore, with over 150 thousand kilometres of National Highways, India efficiently and effectively manages its traffic and logistics movement with maximum profitability. Not only are these strategic roads a major boon for the logistics, but they also give the common people an opportunity to move across the country without hassle. One such major highway route is National Highway 16, the eastern artery of India.
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National Highway 16 (NH16)
National Highway 16, or simply NH 16 is a significant highway constructed on the eastern coast of India that cuts through 4 states, namely, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The highway was previously known as National Highway No. 5 or NH 5. This great and gruelling highway is drawn out of 1,764 km of pure bituminous materials. Moreover, NH 16 highway is also a part of the humongous Golden Quadrilateral Superhighways.
Latest Map and Route
NH 16 Highway of India runs through various towns and cities across several districts located among four states of India, traversing through the major cities like Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai. The distance divided among each state is as follows:
- Starting from West Bengal, NH 16 covers a route length of 206 km before it enters the next state, i.e. Odisha
- In Odisha, the distance covered by the highway is 529 km.
- After exiting Odisha, NH 16 encompasses a whopping 992 km which is the longest part of the road situated in a single state.
- Finally, the highway makes its way to Tamil Nadu and extends for 42 km before ending.
NH 16 Entry and Exit Points
While running through these four states, the highway connects various towns and cities. The NH 16 highway starts from the Dankuni city in West Bengal, which is also where National Highway 19 terminates. And the culmination point of this great road is located in the city of Chennai.
Cities and Towns connected with NH 16
National Highway 16, which runs through the four states of West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, connects various cities and towns. These are as follows:
West Bengal
- Dankuni
- Kolaghat
- Debra
- Belda
Odisha
- Jaleswar
- Balasore
- Soro
- Bhadrak
- Panikoili
- Chandikhol
- Cuttack
- Bhubaneswar
- Khordha
- Tangi
- Balugaon
- Chatrapur
- Brahmapur
Andhra Pradesh
- Gopalpur
- Ichchapuram
- Sompeta
- Mandasa
- Palasa
- Tekkali
- Narasannapeta
- Srikakulam
- Ranastalam
- Thagarapuvalasa
- Visakhapatanam
- Atchutapuram
- Nakkapalli
- Tuni
- Annavaram
- Rajahmundri
- Eluru
- Vijayawada
- Guntur
- Ongole
- Nellore
Tamil Nadu
- Chennai
States Under NH 16
When a national highway stretches over 1700 km in length, it is inevitable that it is going to connect several states. Similarly, NH 16 spans four Indian states. A brief look at these states is as follows:
West Bengal
The starting point of the National Highway 16 is located in West Bengal’s Dankuni town. It is also the termination point of another mega highway, NH 19. In West Bengal, NH 16 covers several cities and towns, including Dankuni, Howrah, Alampur, Biki Hakola, Panchla, Bagnan, Deulti, Naupala, Kolaghat, Ratulia, Haipat, Debra, Belda, etc. The journey within West Bangal territory is pretty lush and passable and, depending on the person, can also be quite adventurous. On the way, commuters will cross Kolaghat Bridge which is constructed over the tributary of the Bay of Bengal.
Odisha
The highway directly connects West Bengal to Odisha. Odisha is an Indian state situated in the eastern part of India, bordering West Bengal and Jharkhand. Odisha also has a 500 km long coastline along with the Bay of Bengal. This 8th largest state by area has the third-largest population of scheduled tribes. The route of NH 16 passes through the cities of Jaleswar, Balasore, Soro, Bhadrak, Panikoili, Chandikhol, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Tangi, Balugaon, Chatrapur and Brahmapur. Other than that, the major geographical attractions along the way to NH 16 would be the Sabarnarekha River and Chillika Lake.
Andhra Pradesh
The third state to come through the path of NH 16 is Andhra Pradesh. Situated in southeast India, this picturesque state promises some of the best views to the commuters on NH 16. The highway passess through some of the major indian cities such as Gopalpur, Ichchapuram, Sompeta, Mandasa, Palasa, Tekkali, Narasannapeta, Srikakulam, Ranastalam, Thagarapuvalasa, Visakhapatanam, Atchutapuram, Nakkapalli, Tuni, Annavaram, Rajahmundri, Eluru, Vijayawada, Guntur, Ongole, and Nellore. Other than that, the highway runs through the famous Godavari and Krishna river.
Tamil Nadu
The last of the states that are connected with the NH 16 is Tamil Nadu. Compared to the other three states, the highway stretches for a small distance in Tamil Nadu. With just 42 km covered in this state, NH 16 still covers pretty good grounds for commuters who enjoy nature and greenery. The main cities/towns covered by NH 16 in Tamil Nadu are Gummidipoondi and Chennai. Chennai is the final destination of the National Highway 16.
Famous Places Around National Highway 16
There are quite a few destinations to choose from for your next drive-through expedition. Here we will go through these handpicked spots that are good options to consider for exploration:
Kolkata
The capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata, is one of the most important cities in India in terms of core business, commerce, and finance. With immense historical significance associated with this state, Kolkata is also one of the most interesting places to visit. The National Highway 16 starts from a town in Kolkata known as Dankuni, which is a city and a municipality located in the Hooghly district and considered one of the poshest areas in the Hooghly district.
Balasore
This largest town of northern Odisha is known as the “missile city” of India for its closeness to the Indian Ballistic Missile Test Range. Moreover, this town is also known for Chandipur beach.
Bhubaneshwar
The largest city in the state of Odisha, which is also the capital city of Odisha, is known as the “temple city” as it is claimed to be a place that boasts 700 temples. Presently, this city is significant for its educational ecosystem and flourishing business. Credited to its geographical location, Bhubaneshwar is packed with very rich biodiversity. It is an excellent place to hang around while travelling on NH 16.
Visakhapatnam
The largest and most populous city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, is one of the prime contributors to the GDP of India. Visakhapatnam is sandwiched between the Bay of Bengal and the mesmerising mountains of the Eastern Ghats. Visakhapatnam is one of the most popular tourist spots in India.
Nellore
Situated on the banks of the Penna River, Nellore is a popular tourist destination among the regional residents of Andhra Pradesh. It is the fourth most populous city in the state of Andhra Pradesh and is also a good spot for temple lovers and devotees.
Chennai
Another significant city, which is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, is also the most populous and largest city in the state. Chennai is immensely popular in terms of education, culture and economy.
Speed Limit at National Highway 16
The speed limit on NH 16 depends on the type of vehicle that you are driving and the state that you are travelling in. The general speed curb is set at 120 km per hour for the expressways, 100 km per hour for the national highways, and 70 km per hour for the state roads. This is strictly for the M1 class of vehicles which are considered to be vehicles that have less than eight seats.
Toll Rates on NH 16
Toll rates vary from state to state. For the state of Odisha, authorities have set forward a communication pertaining to the updated rates for the toll.
The below-given chart represents the rates for different vehicle types:
- Car/Jeep/Van will be charged 135 INR for a single journey and 205 INR for the return journey
- LCV will be charged 215 INR for a single journey and 320 INR for the return journey
- Bus/Trucks will be charged 440 INR for a single journey and 660 INR for the return journey
- HCM/EME will be charged 680 INR for a single journey and 1020 INR for the return journey
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Frequently Asked Question
What is the new name of NH 16?
The new name for NH 16 is National Highway 16. It was previously known as national highway 5 or NH 5. In the year 2010, the government considered the rationalisation of National Highway numbers.
Which is the longest national highway?
Connecting the northern city of Srinagar in Kashmir with Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari in the deep south, National Highway 44 is the longest National Highway in India. It stretches to a length of 4112 km and connects well over 30 cities in about 11 states of India.
