The much-anticipated Vijayawada-Bengaluru greenfield national highway project has accelerated construction, promising to transform connectivity and slash travel time between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This strategic corridor, being built under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, is poised to become a vital economic artery for the region.
Project Details and Ambitious Timeline
The six-lane, access-controlled expressway, designated as NH-544G, aims to connect the state capital region of Amaravati to Bengaluru in a record six hours, a dramatic reduction from the current 11-12 hour journey. With an estimated total length between 518 to 624 kilometers, the project combines new greenfield sections with upgrades to existing brownfield stretches. The total project cost is pegged at approximately ₹19,200 to ₹19,320 crore.
Senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have expressed confidence in the progress, stating that works across all packages have gained significant momentum. The agency is targeting completion of the entire project by 2026.
Route, Construction, and Key Districts
The greenfield portion, spanning roughly 342-343 kilometers, will run from Kodikonda on the Andhra-Karnataka border to Addanki/Muppavaram in Andhra Pradesh. This new alignment is designed to bypass congested towns, ensuring faster and uninterrupted movement for both passengers and freight.
The corridor will traverse several key districts in Andhra Pradesh, including:
- Guntur
- Prakasam (with the longest segment of ~110 km)
- Kurnool
- Kadapa
In Prakasam district, the highway will pass through mandals like Chandrasekharapuram (CS Puram), Kanigiri, Veligandla, and Addanki, bringing improved access to towns such as Podili and Kanigiri. Construction activity here has intensified, with advanced machinery deployed for large-scale earthworks, embankment formation, culvert and bridge building, and asphalt-laying. Land acquisition in most stretches is largely complete, with farmers compensated as per norms, enabling uninterrupted execution.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
Once operational, the expressway is expected to unlock substantial economic opportunities across the region. It will facilitate the faster movement of agricultural produce, minerals, and manufactured goods from the interior districts of Andhra Pradesh to major markets in Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and the ports on the east coast.
The project is being executed by major infrastructure firms, including Megha Engineering & Infrastructures, KNR Constructions, and Dilip Buildcon, who have been awarded the 14 construction packages for the greenfield stretch. The brownfield upgrade sections include the Bengaluru-Kodikonda stretch (73 km on NH-44) and the Addanki-Vijayawada section (113 km on NH-16).
This infrastructure leap is set to ease traffic pressure on older routes, boost local employment generated by construction activities, and significantly enhance inter-state connectivity, fostering regional trade and development.
