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Bengaluru: The National Highways Authority of India is preparing a detailed project report to improve connectivity between north and east Bengaluru by
linking the Bengaluru–Chennai expressway at Hoskote with the Vijayawada expressway, a move expected to significantly cut travel time and ease traffic congestion.
NH-44 to Be Expanded to 10 Lanes
As part of the project, the existing NH-44 (Bengaluru–Hyderabad) will be upgraded to a 10-lane highway over a 90-km stretch. The upgraded road will include a six-lane main carriageway from Devanahalli in Karnataka to Kodikonda in Andhra Pradesh. From Kodikonda, the highway will merge with the greenfield section of the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada expressway via Kadapa, as per a TOI report.According to a senior official from the National Highways Authority of India, the project is expected to reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Vijayawada from 11–12 hours to around 6–7 hours.
Timeline and Land Acquisition
The draft DPR is likely to be ready by February. Road widening will begin from the Bengaluru side at Kannamangala near Devanahalli. Most of the land required for the 10-lane expansion is already with NHAI, except at three locations where railway overbridges will be needed.Interchanges and Cloverleaf Plans
To ease traffic flow, several infrastructure upgrades are planned:
- A 10-lane road towards Chickaballapur, up to the Andhra Pradesh border and Kodikonda
- A cloverleaf interchange at Kodikonda to connect NH-44 with the expressway
- NH-44 already integrated with the Satellite Town Ring Road at Devanahalli
- The proposed 10-lane road towards Chickaballapur to pass beneath the existing STRR flyover
Traffic on the STRR towards Hoskote is expected to rise, as the stretch is already linked to the partially opened Bengaluru–Chennai expressway. Last year, toll collection began on a 70-km stretch of the expressway between Hoskote and KGF.
Safety Measures: Streetlights and Barriers
In view of rising traffic and accidents on the Bengaluru–Hyderabad corridor, NHAI has approved additional safety measures between the trumpet interchange and Devanahalli:
- Installation of 1.5-metre-high barriers along a 12.5-km stretch
- Highway streetlights along a 12-km stretch
- Median barriers beyond the trumpet interchange to prevent pedestrian accidents
Officials said the measures aim to improve visibility and road safety, especially with rapid urbanisation in Devanahalli and growing industrial activity increasing traffic at the STRR intersection.
