The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has confirmed plans to upgrade a key 90-kilometre stretch of NH-44, the busy Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway, to a 10-lane access-controlled corridor. This major infrastructure upgrade is aimed at easing congestion, improving safety, and supporting long-term regional growth.
Importantly, while NH-44 itself connects Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the upgraded highway will be strategically integrated through interchanges with the proposed 342-kilometre Hyderabad–Vijayawada greenfield expressway. This integration will enable seamless east–west travel across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Faster Connectivity Across Key Corridors
With the planned integration, travel time between Hyderabad and Vijayawada is expected to reduce significantly to around 6–7 hours. The combination of widened NH-44 and the new expressway will create a high-speed mobility network connecting the state capital to major economic hubs.
Boost for Emerging Growth Zones
The NH-44 widening and expressway linkage are expected to accelerate development in several strategic areas, including Balnagar, Rajapur, and the Pollepally SEZ region. Improved road capacity and faster access will support industrial expansion, logistics parks, residential development, and new employment opportunities along the corridor.
These regions, already identified as future growth zones, are likely to witness increased investor interest due to improved connectivity with Hyderabad’s core IT and manufacturing hubs.
Project Timeline and Planning
According to officials, a draft detailed project report (DPR) for the NH-44 expansion and its integration points is expected by February 2026. Following approvals, phased execution is planned to ensure minimal disruption to existing traffic.
Once completed, the project will strengthen Hyderabad’s position as a central logistics and mobility hub, improving connectivity not just to Bengaluru, but also to eastern coastal cities through the Vijayawada expressway.
This large-scale highway upgrade is part of NHAI’s broader vision to build high-capacity, future-ready transport corridors that support economic growth, regional balance, and faster intercity travel.
