Hyderabad: The Centre is pushing ahead with a major upgrade of the NH-44 corridor between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, aiming to convert the existing highway into a 6-lane access-controlled high-speed corridor. The project is expected to drastically improve connectivity between the two major tech hubs and reduce travel time to nearly 5 hours.
Why This Upgrade Matters
NH-44 is one of India’s longest and busiest national highways, carrying heavy passenger and freight traffic between Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Currently, congestion, bottlenecks in towns, and mixed local traffic slow down travel significantly.
The proposed upgrade focuses on eliminating these choke points and ensuring uninterrupted long-distance travel through controlled access and better design standards.
High-Speed Corridor with Access Control
The upgraded highway will be designed for speeds of up to 120 km/h, with strict access control similar to expressways. This means:
- No direct local entry points onto the main carriageway
- Dedicated entry and exit ramps
- Separate service roads for local traffic
This approach is expected to significantly reduce accidents and improve travel efficiency.
Key Upgrades Along the Route
The corridor will pass through key cities and junctions including Hyderabad, Kurnool, Anantapur, Kodikonda, and Bengaluru, with major improvements planned:
- Kurnool & Anantapur bypasses: To divert highway traffic away from city limits
- Kodikonda interchange: A cloverleaf junction connecting to other major routes and future expressways
- Devanahalli stretch: Integration with Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) near Bengaluru
10-Lane Expansion Near Bengaluru
Due to high traffic demand near Bengaluru, a 10-lane expansion is planned between Devanahalli and Kodikonda (around 90 km). This includes:
- 6-lane main highway
- 4-lane service roads
This section is expected to support increasing urban traffic and airport connectivity.
Brownfield Upgrade Strategy
The project will follow a brownfield upgrade model, meaning the existing highway will be widened and improved instead of building an entirely new road. This helps reduce land acquisition challenges while speeding up execution.
However, select realignments and land acquisition will still be required at congested points and for bypass construction.
Economic and Logistics Boost
The upgraded NH-44 corridor is expected to play a key role in improving logistics efficiency across South India. It will:
- Reduce freight travel time between industrial hubs
- Lower transportation costs for goods
- Strengthen connectivity between IT, manufacturing, and export zones
Experts believe this will further boost trade, real estate growth, and industrial expansion along the corridor.
Timeline and Execution
The project is currently in the DPR (Detailed Project Report) stage, with groundwork already initiated in early 2026. Execution will be carried out in phases.
- 2026: DPR finalisation and initial works
- 2026–2027: Major construction phases
- Target Completion: By 2027 (phased openings expected)
Future Impact
Once completed, the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway is expected to function almost like an express corridor, even without formal expressway status. The project will bring faster inter-city travel, improved safety, and better connectivity for millions of commuters.
With both cities continuing to grow as major economic centers, this highway upgrade is set to become a critical backbone for South India’s mobility and growth.
