The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a formal process for upgrading roads run by Provincial Councils and local authorities to national highways under the Road Development Authority (RDA).
The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
Under the decision, each request will be assessed on basic eligibility, technical feasibility and other criteria. The RDA’s Road Takeover Committee will carry out the evaluations, and its recommendations will guide any decision to declare a road a national highway.
The process follows the work of a committee, chaired by an Additional Secretary of the Ministry, that the Cabinet appointed on 20 July 2026. It reviewed proposals from District Coordinating Committees and was asked to identify the funds and staff needed to maintain roads transferred to the RDA.
The decision sets out how roads outside the RDA’s network can be brought under its care.
Requests from Provincial Councils and local authorities will now go to the RDA’s Road Takeover Committee for evaluation.
