A smoother, shorter drive between Bangalore, Hassan

Work on NH 48 between Nelamangala, Devihalli almost over

February 17, 2012 12:12 pm | Updated 12:12 pm IST - BANGALORE:

The journey between Bangalore and Hassan, which used to take almost five hours a year ago, has just become smoother and shorter.

Now, the 185-km distance between the two cities on National Highway 48 can be covered in less than three hours after the road was upgraded to a four-lane highway.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed four-laning the 81.8-km stretch between Nelamangala and Devihalli (near Bellur Cross), even as the upgrading of the stretch of this highway between Devihalli and Hassan (77 km) is progressing quickly.

The two-lane national highway, a vital link between the State capital and districts in the Malnad and coastal belt, had become saturated with the volume of traffic increasing over the years, forcing the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to widen the road.

Several dangerous curves that led to fatal accidents near Solur, Kunigal, Yediyur and Channarayapatna have been straightened to improve safety.

Driving at during the night on the two-lane NH 48 had become dangerous in the recent past, recalled S.N. Mahesh, a taxi driver from Bangalore, who regularly makes trips to Kukke Subramanya, Dharmasthala and Sringeri.

Sharp curves and large bulky avenue trees made driving a tough task, he said.

Complete makeover

However, the highway has now undergone a complete makeover. Those travelling on the stretch after a long time may not be able to recognise any of the old landmarks.

One noticeable change from the earlier two-lane highway is the Kunigal bypass, which avoids the congested Kunigal town. Overpasses have been built en route towns and junctions, including Yediyur town and Turuvekere Cross.

Work almost complete

R.K. Gupta, NHAI Project Director, Bangalore, told The Hindu that the four-laning work on this stretch executed by LANCO Devihalli Highways Pvt. Ltd. on build, own, transfer (BOT) basis for Rs. 441 crore was almost complete.

Meanwhile, the four-laning of the highway between Devihalli and Hassan, being executed on BOT basis by Larsen & Toubro for Rs. 453 crore is progressing fast and is expected to be completed by June 2013, Mr. Gupta said.

Apart from widening the existing road, the project also involves construction of a greenfield two-lane paved bypass for Channarayapatna town, and the widening and paving of a two-lane bypass construction for Hassan town.

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