The Centre is moving ahead with a major upgrade of the NH-44 corridor between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, with plans to convert the existing route into a six-lane access-controlled high-speed corridor.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the two major technology hubs and reduce travel time to nearly five hours.
Why the project is important
NH-44 is among India’s busiest national highways, carrying heavy passenger and freight traffic across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. At present, congestion, town bottlenecks and mixed local traffic often slow down journeys.
The proposed upgrade aims to remove these choke points and enable uninterrupted long-distance travel through controlled access and improved road design.
Expressway-style features planned
The upgraded corridor is expected to support speeds up to 120 kmph with access control similar to expressways. Planned features include:
- No direct local entry onto the main highway
- Dedicated entry and exit ramps
- Separate service roads for local traffic
These changes are expected to improve both travel speed and road safety.
Key stretches to be improved
The corridor will pass through important locations including Kurnool, Anantapur, Kodikonda and Bengaluru.
Major proposals include bypasses at Kurnool and Anantapur, a cloverleaf interchange at Kodikonda, and integration with the Satellite Town Ring Road near Devanahalli.
A 10-lane expansion is also planned near Bengaluru on high-demand stretches, combining six main lanes with four service lanes.
Economic boost for South India
Experts believe the upgraded corridor will reduce freight time, lower logistics costs and improve connectivity between IT hubs, industrial centres and export zones. This could support real estate growth and business expansion along the route.
Timeline
The project is currently in the Detailed Project Report stage. Construction is expected in phases, with targeted openings by 2027.