BKV Expressway to make travel easy in Prakasam
Travel for a distance of 100km would take no more than an hour
Kurnool: Travel on the Greenfield Expressway, currently under construction in Prakasam district as part of the Bengaluru-Kadapa-Vijayawada Greenfield Expressway (NH544G), will offer a smooth and efficient experience for motorists and passengers.
With only three exit points granted in the district out of a total of 13 exits along the entire project stretch, the highway ensures seamless vehicle movement and reduced travel time.
The strategically located exits are at KGBV School in CS Puram, Polavaram in Kanigiri, and Thalamalla in Podili. While this situation might pose challenges for short-distance travellers, it would help long-distance passengers save time.
In December 2022, the NHAI invited bids for four packages of the expressway project under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), at an estimated cost of `19,200 crore. The project, part of the central government's Bharatmala Pariyojana (BMP) Phase-2 programme, consists of a combination of greenfield alignment and brownfield upgrades.
It is divided into three major sections: Brownfield Upgrade of NH-44 from Bengaluru to Kodikonda in Anantapur (73km), Greenfield Section from Kodikonda to Addanki (342km), and Brownfield Upgrade of NH-16 from Vijayawada to Addanki (113km).
Additionally, the project connects Bengaluru to the Rayalaseema region.
Officials stress that the expressway will significantly reduce travel time between Vijayawada and Bengaluru. Currently, the journey covers 650km and takes approximately 12 hours. The new expressway will cut this travel time to around six hours.
Industrial hubs in Guntur, Prakasam, Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur— within a 700 km radius — will have quick access to Bengaluru Airport via this access-controlled multi-lane highway.
Starting from Bengaluru, the expressway will pass through Anantapur, Kadapa, Nellore, Prakasam districts, and eventually join NH-16 at Muppavaram in Addanki constituency.
In Prakasam district, it will cover mandals such as CS Puram, Kanigiri, Veligandla, Marripudi, Cheemakurthy, Thallur, Addanki and K Panguluru, spanning a total of 110km.
Notably, there will be no service roads to villages or important towns from the expressway. Direct access will be restricted. The works are expected to be completed by 2026, officials said.