The Khammam–Devarapalli greenfield highway—a new four-lane access-controlled corridor stretching across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh—is nearing completion by year-end, promising to reduce travel time between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam by around two hours. It will also ease financial strain for motorists with distance-based FASTag tolling, officials say.
Construction is divided into six packages, with over 80% work already done. The highway supports speeds up to 100 km/h, ensuring smoother transit—especially vital as current routes suffer from heavy commercial truck traffic, notably granite shipments headed to Vizag port. Toll plazas at eleven entry and exit points, including Khammam and Devarapalli, will use FASTag to calculate tolls based solely on the distance covered, marking a shift from flat-rate systems. This fair pricing aligns with national efforts to ensure motorists pay equitably based on usage.
By redirecting heavy vehicles—buses, lorries, and cars—onto the new highway while reserving the older Jeelugumilli–Jangareddygudem road for two-wheelers, tractors, and autos, the design improves traffic flow and enhances safety through separation. Strategically, the highway forms part of NH 365BB’s 254 km corridor between Suryapet and Kovvur under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. This nods to both states’ ambition for robust regional connectivity, offering freight and passenger movement efficiencies while supporting economic growth across Eluru, East Godavari and surrounding areas.
Transport and highway planners emphasise the environmental benefits: faster speeds and controlled access lower emissions from idling, while transparent tolling encourages efficient travel. A senior transport economist notes the highway blends user convenience with sustainable objectives—reducing time, emissions, and operational costs. Local officials are optimistic that enhanced access will unlock agro-industrial growth and ease access to markets, boosting livelihoods in rural districts. Ensuring equitable infrastructure, they highlight available alternatives for lighter vehicles to prevent exclusion.
Still, challenges remain in completing overpasses, service roads, ecological safeguards, and final landscaping before the targeted opening. Land acquisition delays caused some setbacks, but most land and civil works are now finalized. As India continues its greenfield expressway expansion, the Khammam–Devarapalli highway exemplifies balanced planning—combining transport speed, economic equity, environmental mindfulness, and fair tolling. Transport officials express confidence that once fully operational, the route will deliver a seamless, cost-effective connection linking Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam in significantly less time.
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