The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has taken the first steps toward constructing a high-speed expressway connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru. This ambitious project aims to provide seamless, all-weather road connectivity between southern and coastal Karnataka. On November 4, nine firms submitted technical bids to prepare the detailed project report (DPR), with the contract expected to be awarded next year. The winning firm will have 540 days to complete the DPR, with construction slated to begin in 2028.
The expressway, spanning 335 km, will feature four to six lanes and is expected to pass through Hassan, including several bypasses around the Western Ghats’ challenging terrain. The new road would drastically reduce the current 7-8 hour travel time between the two cities, offering significant improvements for both business and tourism.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, has been a strong advocate for the project, highlighting the lack of viable connectivity between Mangaluru and the rest of the state. The existing road is prone to landslides, frequent closures, and slow travel times. Rao believes the expressway will address transportation challenges, unlock Mangaluru’s port potential, and promote tourism in the region.
The project is still in its conceptual phase, with environmental and financial challenges ahead. Collaboration between the Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will be essential in determining route alignment, land acquisition, and financing models. Officials have also mentioned the possibility of developing townships along the expressway to ensure its financial viability.
Currently, NHAI is working on four-laning the Hassan-Sakleshpur-Maranahalli stretch and plans to address bottlenecks in the Shiradi Ghat section through the construction of flyovers and tunnels.
This expressway project holds significant promise for improving connectivity, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing the overall infrastructure of Karnataka’s southern and coastal regions.
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