NHAI to Widen 199-km Hubballi–Vijayapura NH-52 to Four Lanes 

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans to widen the 199-kilometre Hubballi–Vijayapura stretch of NH-52 to four lanes. The upgrade will cover Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura districts, connecting towns including Navalgund, Nargund, Konnur, Kulageri, Kerur, Gaddankeri, Bilgi, and Kolhar.

This corridor is a critical route for both passenger and commercial vehicles, linking North Karnataka with South Maharashtra and forming part of the 2,317-kilometre NH-52 north–south corridor running from Ankola in Karnataka to Sangrur in Punjab.

Rising Traffic and Safety Concerns

Traffic along NH-52 has surged significantly following the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for better infrastructure. The current two-lane highway, particularly through Navalgund and Nargund, often experiences bottlenecks due to narrow roads. Large events and local protests have caused multi-hour traffic jams, while numerous accidents along the stretch have raised safety concerns.

The four-lane expansion aims to provide uninterrupted travel, reduce congestion, and improve road safety across this heavily used corridor.

DPR Preparation and Bypass Plans

NHAI has floated a tender to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the four-lane upgrade. The DPR will include construction of bypasses, notably for Navalgund and Nargund, to divert traffic from congested town centres. The project will be executed under the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Officials have noted some alignment changes for the Navalgund bypass to ensure proper connectivity with Annigeri Road and to prevent flooding during Bennehalla flash floods.

Local Demands and Official Approvals

Former minister Shankar Patil Munenkoppa highlighted that traffic has increased by 30% post-pandemic, making the four-lane expansion a long-pending demand. Both the Navalgund and Nargund bypasses have received approval from Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. The alignment adjustments in Navalgund aim to improve connectivity and avoid flood-like situations in the town.

The project is expected to ease congestion, improve travel times, and enhance safety for commuters and commercial transport along this vital highway.