Milestone Colors Meaning in India – Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange Explained

Have you ever noticed the milestones on Indian roads showing how many kilometers away your destination is? These milestones come in different colors like Yellow & White, Green & White, Blue/Black & White, and Orange & White. But do you know why these stones are painted in different colors? Each color has a specific meaning. By looking at a milestone, you can easily understand the type of road you are traveling on. Let’s see what each milestone color means and how to identify the roads.

Yellow & White Milestones – National Highways

If you see a milestone painted with Yellow on top and White at the bottom, it means you are on a National Highway (NH). These highways connect major cities and states across India. They are designed for long-distance travel and fast-moving vehicles. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) maintains these roads. For example, NH-44 (Srinagar to Kanyakumari) and NH-19 (Delhi to Kolkata). Yellow is chosen because it is a bright color that remains clearly visible in all weather conditions.

Green & White Milestones – State Highways

If the milestone has Green on top and White at the bottom, it means the road is a State Highway (SH). These highways connect different cities and towns within the same state. They are maintained by the respective State Governments. For example, SH-1 in Telangana and SH-48 in Andhra Pradesh. These roads are not as major as National Highways but provide strong regional connectivity. Green color represents regional routes and state-level connectivity.

Blue/Black & White Milestones – City or District Roads

If you notice a milestone with Blue or Black on top and White at the bottom, it indicates you are on a City Road or District Road. These roads connect municipal areas, towns, and urban centers. They mainly handle local urban traffic and short-distance connectivity.

Orange & White Milestones – Village Roads

If you see a milestone painted with Orange on top and White at the bottom, it means you are traveling on a Village Road. These roads connect villages and rural areas. Many of them are constructed under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Orange color symbolizes rural development and connectivity between villages.

Why Milestone Colors Are Important?

By understanding these milestone colors in India, you can easily identify who maintains the road and where it leads. They are very useful during travel planning and navigation. For example, if you mistakenly take a State Highway instead of a National Highway, a quick look at the milestone will help you recognize the route. Next time you travel, observe the milestones around your area – they tell you more than just the distance!