Bengaluru-Hyderabad Highway To Get A Major Upgrade, Here's What We Know

In a major development, the central government has given a nod for the proposed Bengaluru-Hyderabad highway expansion from 4 lanes to 12 lanes.

The project is intended to provide significant economic growth and development in the Rayalaseema region. The highway, also known as the NH-44, which is currently four lanes wide, will be expanded to a 12-lane expressway, enhancing connectivity and trade between cities and towns in the region.

The project aims to address existing obstacles and enhance road conditions, lowering travel time and increasing commuter safety.

According to Oneindia, areas like Kurnool and Anantapur are likely to be impacted by this major development at the NH44, helping them connect to big cities and markers. Apart from that, better infrastructure will lead to bigger investments, enhanced tourism and employment opportunities, all of which will contribute to regional economic growth.

The Andhra Pradesh government will oversee the project’s funding and execution in collaboration with the Central government. To support the project, toll booths will be strategically installed at the highway along the extended route, generating funds for maintenance and future development of the expressway.

Environmental issues like power shortages and water scarcity are also taken into consideration to reduce the impact on the natural resources, the authority will adopt sustainable practices, ensuring long-term benefits for the area. This step by the central government represents an important milestone in the region’s development and expansion.

In another news, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway before December 2024.

The 262-km long Bengaluru-Chennai expressway is near completion and will reduce the travel time between the two states to 2 and a half hours, which is currently 7 to 8 hours. The expressway will shorten the distance between cities by 80 kilometers and will have a speed limit of 120 km/hr.

Built at a cost of a whopping Rs 17,930 crore, the expressway passes through three states — Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This expressway is being constructed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana programme.