Rs 10,749 Crore National Highway Push In Karnataka: 23 Major Projects Targeted For Completion By FY26

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has said that 23 National Highway (NH) projects, spanning nearly 600 km and costing an estimated Rs 10,749 crore, are slated for completion in Karnataka by the end of the 2025–26 fiscal year.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the projects include key stretches such as the TN/Karnataka border to Hoskote section of NH-648, multiple Tumkur–Shivamogga packages on NH-69 and NH-73, a new six-lane bridge across the Phalguni River on NH-766, and bypasses in Hassan, Maski, and Chintamani.

However, the projects are not without challenges.

The minister admitted that several works are facing delays due to persistent land acquisition hurdles.

Problems range from pending compensation disbursements and delays in announcing land awards to difficulties in securing forest clearances.

While, the Tumkur–Shivamogga corridor (NH-69 & 73) has stalled because of disputes in Bendekere village due to villagers' demand of "enhance compnesation", while farmers objecting to "possession of land in Court
deposit survey numbers" and other factors have hampered progress along the Belgaum–Hungund–Raichur stretch of NH-748A.

“Regular review meetings are held at various levels with the State Government to ensure effective coordination for timely implementation,” Gadkari stated, underlining the central and state government’s efforts to resolve bottlenecks quickly.

Karnataka, already a key hub for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is expected to benefit significantly from these upgrades.

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