National Highway 12 (NH 12) is a major national highway that runs entirely in West Bengal. Highways have a significant role in tourism as they help to make the traveller’s journey easy and smooth.

Let us take a look at this national highway and know everything regarding its latest route, entry and exit points, and some famous places to visit along its way:

The origin of National Highway 12 occurs from its NH 27 junction at Dalkhola in the district of Uttar Dinajpur in West Bengal. Let us know in detail the states it crosses and its entry/exit points.

NH 12 passes entirely through the state of West Bengal. It was made by clubbing two old national highways, NH 34 and NH 117 in 2010.

National Highway 12 starts from NH 27 junction, located at Dalkhola, and terminates at Bok-khali. Meanwhile, it connects cities like Raiganj, Gajol, Malda, Farakka, Morgram, Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Barasat, Kolkata, Kakdwip before its termination.

Here are the different types of vehicles allowed to travel on NH 12:

• M1 category vehicles (vehicles with eight or fewer seats)
• M2 and M3 category vehicles (vehicles with nine or more seats apart from the driver’s seat)
• N category vehicles (Vehicles for the carriage of goods)
• Motorcycles
• Quadricycles
• Three-wheeled vehicles

In 2018, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways fixed the following speed limit for national highways:

• Motorcycles: 80 km per hour
• Quadricycle: 60 km per hour
• Three-wheeled vehicles: 50 km per hour
• Motor vehicles with not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat used to carry passengers: 100 km per hour
• Motor vehicles having nine or more seats in addition to the driver’s seat used to carry passengers: 90 km per hour
• Motor vehicles used to carry goods: 80 km per hour

It is important to follow this speed limit while travelling on national highways to avoid collisions.

All of National Highway 12 lies within the state of West Bengal. Here are some famous tourist places that lie on the NH 12 route:

1. Kolkata

If you are in Kolkata and travelling through National Highway 12, the following are some places you must visit:

• Victoria Memorial Hall
• Indian Museum
• Birla Temple
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Princep Ghat

2. Diamond Harbor

If you are at Diamond Harbour and travelling through National Highway 12, you must visit the following places:

• Diamond Harbour Lighthouse
• Ramakrishna Mission Ashram

Here are the things you should consider while travelling through National Highway 12:

• Keep a proper distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you since NH 12 is a congested route.
• NH12 passes through several industrial regions. Do not overtake any vehicle on a highway. 
• Always take small breaks while driving on highways for a long time so that you do not feel too fatigued.
• You will find several eateries and refreshments when travelling through NH12.

Thus, it can be concluded that a traveller should remain well informed of the highway he/she is travelling. Plan your trip and enjoy driving on this road.