Hyderabad–Vijayawada Highway Set For ₹10,391 Crore Six-Lane Expansion, Travel Time To Drop To 2.5 Hours

The busy road trip between Hyderabad and Vijayawada is heading toward a major upgrade as the ₹10,391 crore widening of National Highway-65 moves into the implementation phase.

The 231-km corridor, one of the most heavily used inter-state routes in the region, will be expanded from four lanes to six lanes after receiving Union Cabinet approval in 2025. Authorities expect the project to cut nearly two hours from current travel time.

At present, commuters typically spend about 4.5 to 5 hours on the road. Once the project is completed, the journey is projected to take only 2.5 to 3 hours.

A lifeline road connecting Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

NH-65 functions as the main road link between Hyderabad and Vijayawada, passing through Nalgonda, Suryapet, Kodad and Nandigama. Traffic volumes are substantial, with an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 vehicles using the highway daily.

The rush intensifies during festive periods such as Sankranti, when large numbers travel to their hometowns in Andhra Pradesh. Even though flights between the cities last around one hour, the time spent reaching airports, completing check-in procedures and travelling onward often makes flying no faster overall. Because of this, most travellers still rely on the highway despite frequent congestion.

Service roads and bypasses to reduce bottlenecks

The project will widen the entire stretch to six lanes and add service roads along most sections, addressing a major deficiency in the existing alignment. Authorities also plan bypasses in towns with populations above 50,000 to ease traffic pressure and minimise land acquisition complications.

The total cost includes land acquisition, shifting utilities, relocating trees and building service lanes. Officials have clarified that traffic will not be completely stopped during construction. Work will begin with service roads and then move to phased widening of the main carriageway to maintain continuous movement of vehicles.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will execute the project with full Central funding. The Detailed Project Report has been completed and tenders are currently under process. Construction is expected to take around two years once work formally starts, likely divided into two or three packages.

Minister seeks faster implementation

Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has been actively pursuing the project with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Their association dates back to Reddy's tenure as Bhongir Member of Parliament from 2018 to 2023, when several road projects were secured for the state.

Currently in New Delhi for the AICC review on Telangana, he is planning another meeting with Gadkari to accelerate implementation. Reddy has stated that his aim is to bring the Hyderabad-Vijayawada road travel time down to about 2.5 hours, potentially making road travel the fastest option between the two cities.

Possible political impact in Greater Hyderabad

A large portion of Greater Hyderabad residents have roots in Andhra Pradesh and frequently use NH-65 to visit their native districts. For many families, the highway is a crucial inter-state connection.

Politically, Greater Hyderabad has largely been a stronghold of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi since Telangana's formation. The Congress suffered setbacks in the 2023 Assembly elections but regained some ground through by-election wins in Secunderabad Cantonment and Jubilee Hills.

If the six-lane corridor is completed before the 2028 Assembly elections, the project could become a key infrastructure achievement for the Congress government, influencing both mobility and urban political dynamics.