**Policy Summary: National Highway Projects in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka**
On July 24, 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 725 regarding pending National Highway (NH) proposals and ongoing projects in Karnataka, specifically focusing on the Uttara Kannada district.
The Ministry, led by Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari, stated that the Government continuously receives proposals from state governments, including Karnataka, for upgrading state highways (SHs) to NHs. The consideration for these upgrades is based on connectivity requirements, inter-se priority, traffic levels, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP).
Currently, several NH projects are underway in the Uttara Kannada district. Details include:
1. **NH-766E (Sirsi-Yekambi-Haveri Section):** Upgradation to 2-lane with paved shoulders. Project length is 74.98 km with a project cost of INR 313 Cr. Physical progress is at 15% with a scheduled completion date of March 31, 2027.
2. **NH-766EE (Belekere-Kumta-Sirsi Section):** Upgradation to 2-lane with paved shoulders. The project spans 58.92 km with a project cost of INR 440 Cr. Physical progress stands at 75%, with a scheduled completion date of December 31, 2025.
3. **NH-66 (Kasarkod to Honnavar Port):** Road connectivity project covering 4.58 km with a cost of INR 131 Cr. Physical progress is at 1% with a scheduled completion date of June 06, 2026.
4. **NH-52 (Arbail to Idagundi Section):** Strengthening and improvements from Km. 48.00 to 64.00. The project covers 16 km with a cost of INR 95 Cr. Physical progress is at 30.10% with a scheduled completion date of October 30, 2025.
The Ministry acknowledged delays in some projects due to land acquisition issues, forest clearance processes, and slow progress by contractors. The government has fixed timelines for the completion of these projects, as detailed above.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of the national highways network.
SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI: The Member of Parliament who asked the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS: The subject matter of the question, referring to the sector of road transport and highways.
Karnataka: A state in India where proposals for upgradation of State Highways to National Highways are pending.
Uttara Kannada: A district in Karnataka where ongoing National Highway projects are underway.
SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways who answered the question.
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan NMP: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity to various economic zones.
National Highway NH766E: A specific National Highway being upgraded in Karnataka.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 725
ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025
PENDING NHs PROPOSALS IN KARNATAKA
725. SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether any proposals are pending for the upgradation of
State Highways (SHs) into National Highways (NHs) in Karnataka
and the region of Uttara Kannada and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the present status of progress of ongoing National Highway
projects in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka;
(c) whether the Government has encountered any hurdles in
completing these projects and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has fixed any timeline to complete
these projects and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) Government keeps on receiving proposals from various State
Governments/UTs, etc., including from the State of Karnataka for
declaration / up-gradation of State roads as National Highways
(NHs). Government considers declaration of some of the State roads
as NHs from time to time based on the requirements of connectivity,
inter-se priority, traffic levels and synergy with PM Gati Shakti
National Master Plan (NMP).(b) to (d) The details of ongoing NH projects in Uttara Kannada
District of Karnataka along with their present status, physical
progress and Scheduled/Revised scheduled date of completion are
annexed. Some of these projects have been delayed due to issues
related to land acquisition, forest clearance and slow progress by
contractors.ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PARTS (b) to (d) OF LOK
SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 725 FOR ANSWER ON
24.07.2025 ASKED BY SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI
REGARDING PENDING NHs PROPOSALS IN KARNATAKA.
Details of ongoing NH Projects in Uttara Kannada district of
Karnataka along with their Present Status, Physical Progress and
Scheduled/Revised scheduled date of completion
Sl. Name of Project NH Total Total Cumulati Scheduled/re
No. Length Project ve vised
No.
Cost Physical Scheduled
(km)
(Rs in Progress Completion
Cr) Date
(in %)
1 Upgradation of 2/4 766E 74.98 313 15% 31.03.2027
lane with paved
shoulder from
Sirsi- Yekmbi-
Havari Section of
NH-766E
2 Upgradation of 2/4 766EE 58.92 440 75% 31.12.2025
lane with paved &
shoulder from 766E
Belekere-Kumta-
Sirsi Section of
NH-766EE & NH-
766E
3 Road connectivity 66 4.58 131 1% 06.06.2026
to Honnavar Port
from Kasarkod on
NH-664 Strengthening & 52 16 31.90 95% 30.10.2025
Improvements
from Km. 48.00 to
64.00 (Arbail to
Idagundi Section)
of NH-63 (NH-52)
of Ankola-Gooty
section
*****