Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that the widening and upgrading of the Shivamogga–Tumakuru National Highway 69 (formerly NH 206) in Karnataka is nearing completion. The final phase of this significant infrastructure project is slated for completion by March 31, 2027. This announcement came in response to a query raised by Shivamogga Member of Parliament, B.Y. Raghavendra, during a recent parliamentary session.
The four-laning project, which has been undertaken in four packages under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), has seen substantial progress. Three of these packages are either fully completed or substantially completed, demonstrating the project’s momentum. Specifically, Package I, covering the Mallasandra-Karadi section (52.89 km), has achieved 100% physical progress. Package II, spanning the Karadi-Banavara section (56.70 km), is at 99.98% completion, and Package III, encompassing the Banavara-Bettadahalli stretch (48.51 km), has reached 98% progress. The remaining Package IV, which extends from Bettadahalli to Shivamogga and covers 56.33 km, is currently at 83.78% physical progress, with a revised completion target of March 31, 2027. The total sanctioned cost for Package IV alone is ₹2,083 crore.
This extensive highway project is poised to significantly enhance connectivity and reduce travel times between Shivamogga and Bengaluru. Once fully operational, the upgraded highway is expected to be a catalyst for economic growth, boosting trade and tourism in the Malnad region of Karnataka. The improved infrastructure will facilitate smoother movement of goods and people, contributing to the overall development of the area.
Minister Gadkari also highlighted the common reasons for delays in National Highways projects nationwide. These often include land acquisition challenges, issues related to statutory clearances, the shifting of utilities, removal of encroachments, law and order problems, scarcity of construction materials, underperformance by contractors, and unforeseen events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing these factors is crucial for ensuring the timely completion of such large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
The Union Minister’s statement also noted that national highway connectivity is being extended to aspirational districts, with new roads and beneficial schemes being implemented for Karnataka’s development. Projects worth approximately ₹5 lakh crore are planned to be undertaken in the state over the next five years, building upon the existing network. As of the current review, projects worth around ₹3 lakh crore are already in progress across various stages of development. This signifies a robust commitment to improving India’s highway infrastructure, with a particular focus on states like Karnataka, which has seen a considerable increase in its National Highway network since 2014.
The project’s importance is further underscored by the fact that the Tumakuru–Shivamogga corridor (NH-69 & 73) is part of a larger set of projects aimed at bolstering Karnataka’s infrastructure. Efforts are continuously underway to coordinate with the State Government to resolve bottlenecks and ensure effective implementation. The proactive approach to infrastructure development, as evidenced by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ continuous review and oversight, aims to create a modern, efficient, and safe national highway system.
The Chenab Times News Desk