Uniform Support Systems for Road Signs on National Highways - "A Call for Compliance"
- GHAI INDERJIT
- Apr 18
- 6 min read
1.0 Purpose:
To ensure uniformity & Structural Safety across National Highways (NHs) alongwith safeguarding the public exchequer, the design and implementation of support systems for road signs must adhere strictly to the applicable standards specified in the relevant IRC Manuals, IRC:SP documents, and Policy Circulars issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Although these guidelines have been followed meticulously on some project sections, inconsistencies persist across the network. This blog serves as a reminder and a call to action for practicing engineers and Road Owning Agencies to align with the prescribed norms.
As per the IRC:SP:84, IRC:SP:73 (Manual of Specifications and Standards) applicable since 2014 & 2015 respectively.
Shoulder Kerb-Mounted Signs shall be supported on Galvanized Iron (GI) Pipes.
Overhead signs must be installed on structurally sound gantry or cantilever structures made of GI pipe.
Further technical specifications and dimensions are detailed in Policy Circular No. 12.38/2025 issued by NHAI.
However, field observations reveal that Mild Steel (MS) pipes and other MS sections of varying diameters and profiles are often being used in place of GI, deviating from IRC norms. This non-compliance not only undermines structural integrity and durability but also carries significant financial and functional implications.
Road Owning Agencies must take responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the approved materials and section sizes during both execution and post-completion inspections of highway projects.
The Secretary General of IRC has also emphasized this issue in his editorial published in the April 2025 edition of the Indian Highways Journal.
2.0 Present Scenario:
The following types of supporting systems for Kerb Mounted Signs and Overhead Signs have been noticed
2.1 Shoulder Kerb Mounted Signs
In most highway projects, shoulder kerb mounted signs are supported using a variety of structural members, including:
Mild Steel (MS) Hollow Sections:
These include circular pipes as well as rectangular or square hollow sections. The diameters and cross-sectional dimensions of these sections vary across different stretches of National Highways (NHs).
Indian Standard Angles (ISA) and Channel Sections:
These have been observed in some segments, used either independently or in combination with other structural members.
Mild Steel (MS) Sections with Zinc Paint Finish:
In several locations, MS sections are painted with zinc-based paint at the site to mimic the appearance of galvanized pipes, though they are not actually galvanized.
Galvanized Iron (GI) Pipes / Hollow Sections:
GI sections with varying cross-sectional areas are used across different project reaches. Hollow Pipes with Internal Diameters (ID) ranging from 45 mm to 80 mm have been observed.
Note: The type and size of the vertical support posts often vary depending on the mode of project execution: In Item Rate Mode projects, GI pipes with an internal diameter of 65 mm to 80 mm are commonly used. In EPC/HAM Mode projects, MS or GI pipes with internal diameters ranging from 45mm to 80mm are typically observed on various NH stretches.
2.2 Over head Signs / Gantry Mounted Signs
Overhead signage is typically supported on gantries of varying designs and geometries. These structures are usually constructed using Mild Steel (MS) pipes of different diameters. The MS components are often coated with zinc paint or other protective coatings to enhance durability and corrosion resistance. Such gantries have been widely implemented across most National Highways (NHs).
3.0 Requirements as per Specifications Standards, IRC Codes and Policy Circulars
3.1 Shoulder Kerb Mounted Signs
As per Para 9.2.4 of IRC:SP:84, IRC:SP:73 Manual of Specifications and Standards, Shoulder kerb mounted signs shall be supported on GI pipes. These codes are applicable since 2014 and 2015 respectively.
As per Para 7.1 of Code of Practice for Road Signs ( IRC:67-2022) , the traffic signs shall be mounted on support posts, which shall be made of either Mild Steel (MS) or Galvanised Iron (GI) Pipes.
As per Para 801.4.1 of MORT&H Specifications for Road and Bridge 5th Revision , “The traffic signs shall be mounted on support posts, which may be of GI pipes conforming to IS:1239, Rectangular Hollow Section conforming to IS:4923 or Square Hollow Section conforming to IS:3589.
As per Sr No.1&2 Annexure-I of policy circular no. 12.38/2025 of NHAI
The signs up to 600mm size shall be fixed over back support of 25x25x3mm angle supported on GI circular pipe 65NB (Nominal Bore), 3.2mm thickness conforming to IS:1239.
The sign above 600mm size shall be fixed over back support of 35x35x3mm angle supported on GI circular pipe 80NB (Nominal Bore), 3.2mm thickness conforming to IS:1239.
3.2 Overhead Signs / Gantry Mounted Signs
As per Para 9.2.4 of Manual of Specifications and Standards, which are applicable since 2014-2015, Overhead signs shall be on structurally sound gantry or cantilever structure made of GI pipes.
As per Para 7.5 of Code of Practice for Road Signs ( IRC:67-2022) , For overhead signs, the support system should be properly designed based on sound engineering principles, to safety sustain the dead load , live load and wind load on the completed sign system. For this purpose, the overhead sign should be designed to withstand a wind loading of 150 kg/sqm normal to the face of the sign and 30 kg/sqm transverse to the face of the sign. In addition to the dead load of the structure, walkway loading of 250 kg concentrated live load shall also be considered for the design of overhead sign structure.
As per Para 802.4 of MORT&H Specifications for Road and Bridge 5th. Revision
802.4.1 Aluminium alloy or galvanized steel to be used as truss design supports shall conform to relevant IS. These shall be of sections and type as per structure design requirements as shown on the plans.
802.4.2 After steel trusses have been fabricated and all required holes punched or drilled on both the horizontal truss units and the vertical and support units, they shall be galvanized in accordance with IS Specifications.
802.4.6 Installation From safety and aesthetic considerations, overhead sign shall be mounted on overhead bridge structures. Where these are required to be provided at some other locations, the support system providing pleasing aesthetics should be properly designed based on sound engineering principles, to safety sustain the dead load , live load and wind load on the completed sign system, For this purpose, the overhead sign should be designed to withstand a wind loading od 150 kg/sqm normal to the face of the sign and 30 kg/sqm transverse to the face of the sign. In addition to the dead load of the structure, walkway loading of 250 kg concentrated live load shall also be considered for the design of overhead sign structure.
In Sr No.5 Annexure-I of policy circular no. 12.38/2025 of NHAI
The overhead signs shall be fixed over back support frame of minimum 40x40x5mm angle.
Overhead sign shall be placed on structurally sound gantry or cantilever structure made of GI pipe
Further the approximate weight of overhead gantry has been specified from 4 tonne to 5.8ton depending upon the clear span of gantry which varied from 12m to 28m and for Cantilever gantry the approximate weight has been mentioned as 1.0ton to 2.25ton depending upon the size of gantry which varied from 6m to 8m.
4.0 Technical, Financial and Visual Impacts on this account:
MS pipes are susceptible to corrosion and rust, especially in damp or harsh environments. While GI pipe are coated with zinc, making them highly resistant to rust and corrosion. Hence the sign board fixed on MS supports will get damaged earlier than those fixed on GI pipes.
The cost of MS pipes is approximately 20% less than the proportionate GI pipe.
GI pipe with 65 mm NB (Nominal Bore) is approximately 40% heavier than 45mm NB pipe.
The inconsistencies in design, diameter, material and shapes results in inconsistency in aesthetics. These also project the nations's image in poor light and undermine the credibility of authorities among the public.
5.0 Suggestions
NHAI/MORT&H may prepare standard drawing and designs especially for overhead gantry prescribing all specification and standard as has been mentioned in circular no.12.38/2025 of NHAI, that drawings should be made mandatory in all NHAI projects.
All stake holders especially the representatives of project owning agency to ensure compliance with the specification, standards and policy of MORT&H/NHAI.
The representatives of stake holders that execute projects using the right sizes of GI pipe for road signs and overhead gantries should be encouraged, honoured and awarded. Appropriate warning/penalty /punishment may be considered to the delinquent representatives of stake holders by MORTH/NHAI.
The implementation of above suggestions will lead to One Nation- One NHAI- One Size & Shape of Support System for Road Signs on NH.
6.0 Some Photographs
Photo 4 , 5 , 6, 7 - Size and Shapes of Some Ganatries existing on NHs
7.0 Reference:
MORT&H SPECIFICATIONS FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE WORKS (FIFTH EDITION)
NHAI/POLICY GUIDELINES/ROAD SAFETY/2025 , POLICY CIRCULAR NO. 12.38/2025 DATED 19TH MARCH,2025
IRC:67-2022 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ROAD SIGNS
IRC:SP:84-2019 MANUAL OF SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR FOUR LANING OF HIGHWAYS (SECOND REVISION)
INDIAN HIGHWAYS JOURNAL - APRIL 2025
Vande matram,Heratfelt Congratulations for your drastic initiative regarding uniformity of road sign post in Highway Sector all over Bharat. I hope ,your knowledge and great thought will surely attract the Authorities(NHAI,MoRTH and INHDCL) to get enforce uniformity in getting compliance of installation GI Road Sign Post and Gantry on all NHs to make 'one nation one _____________________for road signs on NH.Again best wishes.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Great Work
Sir, you have rightly pointed out the issues at site and also the importance of standardizing the support structure. Once done, none of the stakeholder shall not have the choice of downgrading this important road safety element. Along with this, it must be mandatory for the designers to submit the substructure design and drawings to the competent Authority for review and approval. At present the contractors submit some typical drawings (which may have been approved in any prior project) without considering site specific foundation requirements.
Ghai ji, your blog “Uniform Support Systems for Road Signs on National Highways – A Call for Compliance” is a powerful and timely contribution to the highway engineering community.
You’ve effectively highlighted critical deviations such as the use of MS instead of GI, lack of structural standardization, and non-compliance with IRC and MORTH specifications — all of which threaten safety, visual harmony, and public trust.
Your strong push for adopting uniform GI-based support systems and your visionary slogan — “One Nation – One NHAI – One Size & Shape for Road Sign Supports” — beautifully captures the need for consistency, quality, and accountability across our national highway network.
I deeply appreciate your dedication to raising technical standards and safeguarding the integrity of India’s infrastructure.
Great... Stay blessed .. Keep it up.👍
Great sir. You have collected data in detail and it is eye opening for all of us.