Gadkari Sanctions Rs 353 Crore to Widen NH 548B Linking Maharashtra–Karnataka

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, on Tuesday announced that the Centre has given a green signal for the widening of National Highway 548-B in Solapur district from Bhurikavathe-Wagdari-Akkalkot-Nagansur-Tolnoor to the Maharashtra-Karnataka state border section, with a provision of Rs 353.23 crore.

In a post on X, Gadkari wrote, "Under this project, widening of a total 47.663 km length of the road will be carried out, and approval has also been given for the construction of a bypass at Wagdari and a bridge at Sangavi."

This road project will help make heavy traffic coming from Karnataka state safer and smoother, and will give a boost to inter-state transportation, he said.

The Union Minister stated, "Due to this route, devotees from Latur, Umarga as well as Andhra Pradesh will find it much easier to travel for the darshan of Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj at Akkalkot."

National Highway 548B (NH 548B) is a spur of NH 48 that stretches roughly 491 km across Maharashtra and Karnataka. Of this, about 404 km lies in Maharashtra and nearly 169 km in Karnataka.

The highway begins at Mantha in Maharashtra's Jalna district and terminates near Sankeshwar-Gotur in Karnataka, serving as an important link between several major towns. Along its route, it connects Ambajogai, Latur, Ausa, Omerga, Akkalkot, Indi, Vijayapura (Bijapur), Athani, Kagwad, and Chikodi. Key junctions include connections with NH 548C at Mantha, NH 361 near Latur, NH 65 near Omerga, NH 52 near Vijayapura, and finally NH 48 at its end point.

A significant portion of NH 548B is currently a two-lane highway with a good riding surface, allowing smooth and relatively fast travel up to Athani. However, certain stretches - particularly between Athani and Kagwad towards Miraj - are still under construction and have pothole-ridden sections as of early 2026.

Infrastructure upgrades are underway, including a four-lane expansion between Shirguppi and Ankali, for which a tender worth around ₹887 crore was floated in 2023. Additionally, a project to upgrade the highway to two lanes with paved shoulders between km 289 and km 343, estimated at about ₹300 crore, was tendered in 2025. Plans are also in place to build bypasses at key congestion points such as Kagwad.

Route Details

Maharashtra (404.02 km)

Mantha (Jalna district), Deogoan Fata, Selu, Pathari, Sonpeth, Parali Vaijnath, Ambajogai, Renapur Phata, Latur, Ausa, Omerga, Yenegur, Murum, Alur, Akkalkot, and Nagansur towards Indi.

Karnataka (168.90 km)

Almel, Indi, Vijayapura, Tikota, Athani, Kagwad, Chikodi, and Sankeshwar.

NH 548B plays a crucial role in improving connectivity between interior districts of Maharashtra and northern Karnataka, supporting regional transport, trade, and economic activity.