• Source:JND
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Travel between Hyderabad and Bengaluru is expected to become much quicker in the coming years, with road journey time likely to reduce to about five hours. The improvement follows the Centre’s approval to upgrade National Highway 44, the key route linking the two cities.

Centre Clears Major Highway Upgrade

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the modernisation of NH-44, which connects Hyderabad and Bengaluru via Kurnool, Nandyal and Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh. The existing highway will be expanded into a six-lane, access-controlled expressway to allow smoother traffic flow and fewer stoppages.

Officials said the upgraded road will support higher speeds over longer stretches, helping reduce overall travel time.

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No New Road, Existing Route To Be Expanded

Earlier, the Centre had explored building a new greenfield high-speed corridor parallel to NH-44. Three alignment studies were conducted for the proposal. However, authorities found that the new route would run almost alongside the existing highway and, in some sections, would be longer.

Due to higher land and construction costs, the government decided it was more practical to widen and improve the current NH-44 instead of building a new road.

Stretch Across Three States

The Hyderabad–Bengaluru section of NH-44 is around 576 km long. Of this, about 210 km lies in Telangana, 260 km in Andhra Pradesh and 106 km in Karnataka. Once upgraded fully, the corridor will allow uninterrupted high-speed travel with controlled entry and exit points.

Toll charges will be applied based on distance travelled.

Traffic Segregation Plan

To ensure smooth movement on the main carriageway, the project includes the following measures:

  • Service roads on both sides for local traffic

  • Two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, tractors and slow vehicles to use service roads

  • Limited access points to reduce congestion

  • Separation of local and long-distance traffic

Other Expressways Taking Shape

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway is nearing completion. Once operational, parts of Chittoor district will be within 90 minutes of both cities, with some stretches allowing travel to Bengaluru in under an hour.

Designed for speeds of up to 120 kmph, these expressways are expected to improve trade, tourism and regional connectivity across South India.


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