Khammam–Devarapalle Expressway on Track for Completion Under Bharatmala Scheme.

A new 162-km access-controlled greenfield expressway connecting Khammam in Telangana to Devarapalle in Andhra Pradesh is fast approaching completion, promising to transform travel across the Hyderabad–Visakhapatnam corridor. The project, being built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, will be Telangana’s first dedicated greenfield highway when opened.

The new alignment is expected to cut the Rajahmundry–Hyderabad distance by 56 km and reduce the Khammam–Devarapalle stretch by 24 km, potentially saving commuters two to four hours. It will also ease congestion on busy routes including NH-65 and NH-16.

The four-lane expressway runs from Thallampadu to Devarapalle and has been divided into five construction packages, with 105.24 km in Telangana and 56.89 km in Andhra Pradesh. Estimated to cost around ₹3,700 crore, the corridor reflects three years of large-scale engineering and land development.

Along the Telangana stretch, extensive infrastructure includes dozens of major bridges and over 170 culverts spanning rivers, streams, and local crossings. Controlled entry and exit points, interchanges, truck lay-bys, rest areas, toll plazas, and ramp connections have been designed for smooth, high-speed travel.

Originally conceived in 2017 as a widening of existing two-lane roads, the project received approval in 2018 for a completely new greenfield alignment through largely uninhabited terrain.

Land Acquisition and Construction Challenges

P Siva Sankar, regional officer of NHAI, said land acquisition was among the biggest hurdles, with 554 hectares acquired in Telangana alone. Initial compensation disputes slowed progress but were resolved through arbitration. Engineers also faced a soil shortage and used fly ash as an alternative, while 17 high-tension power lines had to be relocated. Construction continued through two years of heavy rainfall and flooding.

Despite these challenges, 116 km of the highway has already been completed, with the remaining stretch targeted for May. Beyond improved connectivity, the expressway will feature solar-powered lighting, landscaped medians, emergency access points, and modern traffic management systems, establishing it as a major transport spine between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and a transformative link along the Hyderabad–Visakhapatnam axis.