New Bengaluru-Vijayawada Expressway To Cut Travel Time By 4 Hours, Link NH-44 With NH-16

A new highway could bring Bengaluru and Vijayawada 110 km closer and reduce travel time. Kadapa, however, is expected to emerge as one of the project’s biggest beneficiaries

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A new six-lane highway between Bengaluru and Vijayawada will cut travel time by up to four hours, boost industrial growth, and mainly benefit Kadapa district. The 343 km corridor spans five districts, with land acquisition and construction already underway.

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The highway will begin near Kodur village at the Kodikonda check-post and pass through five districts before terminating at Muppavaram village near Addanki. (Representative Image)

The proposed six-lane access-controlled greenfield highway connecting Bengaluru and Vijayawada is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity while providing a major boost to industrial development in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Kadapa district.

According to a report in The Hindu, the project forms part of National Highway-544G, a key segment of the Bengaluru-Kadapa-Vijayawada Economic Corridor, designed to improve connectivity between major economic centres and industrial clusters across southern India.

Corridor To Link Two Major National Highways

The highway will begin near Kodur village at the Kodikonda check-post and pass through five districts – Sri Sathya Sai, YSR Kadapa, SPSR Nellore, Prakasam and Bapatla – before terminating at Muppavaram village near Addanki.

One of the project’s key objectives is to establish a seamless connection between NH-44, which links Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and NH-16, the Chennai-Vijayawada corridor. The route is also expected to improve access to several hinterland regions that currently lack efficient highway connectivity.

Part Of Bengaluru-Kadapa-Vijayawada Economic Corridor

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is developing the corridor under NH-544G, covering a total stretch of 343.24 km of greenfield highway. The larger project also includes a 190-km brownfield component comprising a 90-km section between Bengaluru and the Kodikonda check-post and a 100-km stretch between Addanki and Vijayawada.

Together, the project is expected to create a faster and more efficient transportation link between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Officials estimate that the corridor will shorten the distance between Bengaluru and Vijayawada by approximately 110 km.

The reduction in travel distance is expected to cut journey times by three to four hours, benefiting both passenger and freight movement while improving logistical efficiency for industries operating along the route.

Kadapa Emerges As Major Beneficiary

Among all districts along the alignment, Kadapa is expected to gain the most from the project. The highway will pass through 12 mandals in the district, including Pulivendula, Vemula, Vempalli, VN Palli, Yerraguntla, Kamalapuram, Chapadu, Mydukuru, B Matham, B Kodur and Porumamilla, covering a distance of approximately 123.5 km.

Kadapa District Collector Sridhar Cherukuri said the district’s portion of the project comprises six construction packages with a combined investment of Rs 5,377.72 crore.

Land Acquisition Nearing Completion

Authorities said land acquisition work is at an advanced stage.

A total of around 2,750 hectares has been acquired for the corridor, including nearly 1,020 hectares within Kadapa district alone. The project has been divided into 14 construction packages, with work already progressing on multiple stretches.

The project received a major push after obtaining important statutory approvals. Stage-II forest clearance and wildlife clearance were secured in March 2025, paving the way for construction activities to move forward without significant regulatory hurdles.

Direct Access To Industrial Nodes

Supporters of the project believe the highway will strengthen industrial development by improving access to emerging economic hubs. R Srinivasa Reddy, former TDP Politburo member from Kadapa district and recently appointed zonal coordinator for the Hindupuram and Ananthapuram constituencies, said the corridor would provide direct connectivity between Bengaluru and the industrial nodes at Hindupuram and Kopparthi in Kadapa.

Improved road infrastructure is expected to enhance the movement of goods, attract new investments and support industrial expansion across the region.

Smart Traffic Management And User-Based Tolling

The entire corridor will be equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System aimed at improving safety and traffic monitoring.

Authorities also plan to implement a closed tolling system, under which motorists will pay toll charges only for the section of highway they actually use.

Interchanges And Amenities Planned In Kadapa

Kadapa district is set to receive a substantial share of the supporting infrastructure planned along the corridor. Of the 17 interchanges proposed on the highway, seven will be located within Kadapa, providing convenient entry and exit points for local traffic.

In addition, four of the 18 planned wayside amenities will be established in the district. These facilities are expected to include fuel stations, restaurants, toilets, truck parking areas and trailer parking zones to support long-distance travellers and commercial transport operators.

With construction progressing and approvals largely in place, the Bengaluru-Vijayawada greenfield highway is expected to become a critical transport corridor that improves connectivity, reduces travel time and strengthens industrial growth across several districts of Andhra Pradesh.

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