BELAGAVI
In relief for Belagavi residents facing rising congestion from heavy vehicles coming from Goa and southern Karnataka, authorities have asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to complete the long-pending 9-km Macche“Halga bypass on the Belagavi“Panaji highway (NH748).
The project, delayed for nearly six years, is now expected to be ready by December. Officials say the bypass will ease city traffic, reduce accident risks involving heavy vehicles, and improve movement on the busy route.
NHAI began work on a war footing this week, deploying workers and machinery across the stretch. Efforts to link the Macche flyover on the Khanapur“Belagavi section have also intensified.
Once open, vehicles heading towards Dharwad and Hyderabad can connect to NH48 faster, cutting travel time.
Around 15 km of NH748 was opened early last year, but the remaining portion was held up after farmers in Belagavi taluka approached the High Court against acquisition of fertile land. After clearance came and the stay was lifted, construction gathered pace.
NHAI Project Director Bhuvanesh Kumar told The Goan most work is over, with only a few underpasses and railway overbridge modifications pending.
“The cement road laying is in progress. If there are no hurdles, the bypass will open by December,” he said.
He added that commuters are already using a 1.5-km eastern stretch via Yellur Road to reach NH748.
