HAI awards nearly Rs 4K cr highway projects in Karnataka

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today said it has awarded two contracts worth Rs 3,918 crore in Karnataka under NHDP.
The projects on NH 63 include "four-laning of Hubli-Hospet section at Rs 2,293 crore to BSCPL-KNR (JV) and four-six Laning of Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka/AP Border Section for Rs 1,625 crore to Gammon India Ltd", the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.
The projects would be executed on EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) mode under National Highways Development Project Phase IVB.
The 144 km long Hubli-Hospet section connects major district headquarters Gadag, Koppal, Hubal-Dharwad city to Hospet town which is a mineral rich belt and is home to many iron and steel industries.

The 95 km long Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka/AP border section falls in Bellary district and covers important towns like Hospet, Toranagallu and Bellary.
Hampi, near Hospet, is a World Heritage Site and attracts large number of tourists in the region, the statement said adding that a large number of thermal plants are located along this section which require transportation of coal and other ingredients for their smooth functioning.

Considering the current traffic volume and potential traffic growth, the stretch demanded upgradation and capacity augmentation along with improved geometrics and introduction of Bypasses, Bus Bays and Wayside amenities.
"The development of Hubli-Hospet section involves construction of 4 Major Bridges, 37 Minor Bridges, 1 Railway- over-bridge, 7 Flyovers, 9 Vehicular Underpasses, 4 Truck Laybyes, 12 Major Intersections and Junctions, 316 Culverts, 42 Bus Bays, 4 Wayside amenities," the statement said.

The scheduled time for completion of the project is 3 years.
"The Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka/AP border section will have 2 Major Bridges, 41 Minor Bridges, 09 Grade Separated Structures, 3 Railway-over-Bridges, 153 Culverts, 24 km long Service Road, 37 Bus Bays, 8 Major at Grade Junctions and 50 km long 7 Bypasses at Bellary, Hospet, Toranagallu, Vadrahalli, Dharmasagara, Kudithini and Joladarashi," it said.
The scheduled time of completion of the project is 2 years.
Development of Hubli-Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka/AP Border section would not only facilitate transportation of minerals, iron, steel and coal but also promote tourism.
This section is also a crucial link between eastern and western coasts of the country, connecting through the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.