**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2126, answered on February 12th, 2026, regarding the construction of National Highways (NHs) in Karnataka. The response addresses proposals for declaring certain state roads as NHs, the status of approved NH projects, and the construction of an elevated expressway. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, provided the answer.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Responsibility for Development and Maintenance:**
* The Government in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs).
* The development of State roads is the responsibility of the respective State Government.
* **State Road Proposals:**
* The government receives proposals from State Governments, including Karnataka, for declaring/upgrading State roads as NHs.
* The government considers declaring State roads as NHs based on connectivity requirements, traffic density, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.
* **Specific Road Proposals:**
* The road connecting Agumbe (NH-169A Junction)–Sringeri(NH-169 Junction)–Agalagundi–Jaipura–Balehonnur-Hyrambi–Aldur–Nadipura and connecting Kundapura–Koteshwara–Halady-Someshwara–Agumbe–Sringeri is a State road
* **Elevated Expressway:**
* The proposal for construction of an Elevated Expressway from Talachery Checkpost (Kerala border) to Karwar-Goa border on NH-66 is currently not under consideration.
* **NH Declarations in Karnataka:**
* The following NHs were declared in Karnataka over the last three years:
* 2022-2023: 748A, 73Spur, 373 Extn & 375, with a length of 461 km.
* 2023-2024: 848R, with a length of 69 km.
* 2024-2025: No NH declared
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Karnataka**
* **Impact:** Responsible for development of state roads and submits proposals for National Highway upgrades.
* **Action Required:** Continue to submit proposals for State roads to be upgraded to National Highways, considering connectivity, traffic density, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan.
**Residents and Businesses in Karnataka**
* **Impact:** Directly affected by National Highway development and maintenance.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the development of National Highways 748A, 73Spur, 373 Extn & 375, 848R, as these projects may impact local infrastructure.
**Ministry of Road Transport & Highways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for development of National Highways
* **Action Required:** Maintenance and development of existing highways to be done.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Union Government ministry primarily responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways.
National Highways (NHs): A network of roads in India maintained by the central government, subject of the declaration and construction proposals.
Karnataka: Indian state where the construction of National Highways is being discussed.
PM Gati Shakti Master Plan: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity, used as a factor in considering the declaration of State roads as National Highways.
NH-66: National Highway, proposal for elevated expressway along it is being considered
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2126
ANSWERED ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026
CONSTRUCTION OF NHS IN KARNATAKA
2126. SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government has received proposal from the
State Government of Karnataka regarding Agumbe (NH-169A
Junction)–Sringeri(NH-169Junction)–Agalagundi–Jaipura–
Balehonnur–Hyrambi–Aldur–Nadipura, currently designated as SH-
37 and 298 for declaration as National Highways (NHs);
(b) if so, the details of the proposal along with the action taken by
the Government thereon;
(c) the present status of declaration of the In-Principally Approved
NH in Kundapura–Koteshwara–Halady–Someshwara–Agumbe–
Sringeri in Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts;
(d) the present status of construction of an Elevated Expressway
on NH-66-Phase1,Talachery Checkpost (Kerala border) to Byndoor,
Kundapura and Phase 2: Byndoor to Karwar–GoaBorder;and
(e) the details of number of proposals approved and new NHs
declared during the last three years in Karnataka, year-wise ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a)to(c) Government in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
is primarily responsible for development and maintenance ofNational Highways (NHs). The road connecting Agumbe (NH-
169AJunction)–Sringeri(NH-169Junction)–Agalagundi–Jaipura–
Balehonnur–Hyrambi–Aldur–Nadipura and connecting Kundapura–
Koteshwara–Halady–Someshwara–Agumbe–Sringeri is a State road
and development of State roads is the responsibility of the
respective State Government. Government keeps on receiving
proposals from various State Governments/UTs, etc., including from
the State Government of Karnataka for declaration / up-gradation of
State roads as NHs. Government considers declaration of some of
the State roads as NHs from time to time based on the requirements
of connectivity, traffic density and synergy with PM Gati Shakti
Master Plan.
(d) At present, the proposal for construction of an Elevated
Expressway from Talachery Checkpost (Kerala border) to Karwar-
Goa border on NH-66 is not under consideration.
(e ) Year-wise details of NH declared in the State of Karnataka
during the last three years are given below:
Year NH NO. Length (in Km)
748A,73Spur,373 Extn
2022-2023 &375 461
2023-2024 848R 69
2024-2025 - -
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