IRC 26:1967 is the Indian Standard (IRC) for report containing the code of practice for erection of kilometre stones and 200-metre stones. IRC 26:1967 specifies design, materials, and installation of kilometre stones, 200-metre stones, and route reference markers — the wayfinding infrastructure that helps drivers understand location and remaining distance on Indian highways. Traditionally kilometre stones were cast-iron; modern practice uses RCC for durability. Standard dimensions: kilometre stone 600 × 300 × 100 mm; 200-metre stone 450 × 200 × 75 mm. Placement: 2.0 m from road centerline on left side. Colour scheme varies by road type: NH green, SH yellow, MDR blue. Inscription in 3 languages (Hindi + state + English), with retroreflective sheeting for night visibility. Amendment No. 1 (2015) added standardized NH shield design (blue background with NH number); Amendment No. 2 (2022) added GPS-enabled smart milestones with QR code linking to route information. Despite the code's availability, many Indian roads have missing, damaged, or inconsistent kilometre stones — undermining driver wayfinding. Modern trend: replace traditional stones with digital/electronic signage on expressways, but traditional stones remain relevant for NH/SH/rural roads.
Specifies type designs, material specifications, siting, and installation methodology for kilometre stones, 200-metre stones, half-kilometre markers, and route reference markers on Indian highways.
- Status
- Current
- Usage level
- Specialized
- Domain
- Transportation — Traffic Engineering / Infrastructure
- Type
- Code of Practice
- Amendments
- Amendment No. 1 (2015) — standardized NH shield design (blue background, NH number); Amendment No. 2 (2022) — GPS-enabled smart milestones, QR codes for route information
Also on InfraLens for IRC 26
Practical Notes
! Kilometre stones are often missing on older NH/SH due to road widening, theft (cast-iron heritage stones), or vandalism. Replace with RCC for durability.
! RCC precast stones: standard production at factories; uniform quality; lower cost. Field-cast stones inferior — use only for emergency replacement.
! Cast-iron stones (heritage): some historic NH routes have original cast-iron stones worth preserving. For new installations, RCC is standard.
! Colour scheme recognition: drivers recognize NH green, SH yellow at glance — faster wayfinding than reading text. Distinctive colours are important visual aid.
! 3-language inscription: Hindi + state language + English. On NH, this is standard. State highway may vary: some states use local script only.
! Retroreflective sheeting: Type II (engineering grade) minimum for night visibility. Type III (micro-prismatic) better for high-speed highways. Without retroreflective, stones invisible at night — defeats purpose.
! Siting: 2.0 m from road centerline is critical. Too close = struck by vehicles; too far = hard to see. Consistent siting allows drivers to expect markers.
! Base foundation: concrete base 300 × 600 × 600 mm, depth 500 mm below ground. Prevents tipping, displacement. M15 concrete (not M10) for durability.
! Drainage around base: water pooling causes settlement, tipping. Design 1:20 slope away from stone base; install small drainage outlet in low spots.
! Numbering consistency: sequential from NH start point. Mistakes (skipped numbers, repeats) confuse drivers. Double-check numbering before installation.
! NH shield design (Amendment No. 1, 2015): blue background with white NH number. Standardized across India. Separate from kilometre stone; placed at town entrances and junctions.
! Smart milestones (Amendment No. 2, 2022): GPS-enabled, QR code linking to route information (travel time, alternative routes, nearby amenities). Emerging in smart-city pilots.
! Damage causes: (1) vehicle strike (out-of-control), (2) road widening, (3) vandalism/theft, (4) mud/weathering, (5) poor installation. Preventive measures: set back further, use RCC not cast-iron, deeper foundation.
! Maintenance: annual inspection (PWD/NHAI responsibility); replace damaged/missing; re-paint every 3-5 years. Annual budget ₹5,000-25,000 per km for maintenance.
! Replacement strategy: rather than piecemeal, plan systematic replacement every 10-15 years. Consistency more important than individual stone condition.
! During road works: temporary marking maintained (hand-painted stones, small signs); permanent replacement within 3 months of road works completion.
! Cost: RCC kilometre stone ₹2,000-5,000 per piece (including retro-reflective sheeting); installation ₹500-1,500 per piece. For 100 km road: ₹2.5-6.5 lakh for milestone infrastructure.
! Route reference markers at junctions: important for driver navigation. Place at: major town entrances, highway interchanges, state borders.
! Cultural/heritage value: some old kilometre stones are cultural artifacts. Museum/archaeological department may object to replacement. Coordinate if road has historical stones.
! Lighting: kilometre stones are passive (retroreflective) — driver's headlight required. Self-illuminated (LED, solar-powered) stones emerging — cost ₹5,000-20,000 per unit vs ₹2,000-5,000 for standard.