Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, once again traded his Parliament seat for a hard hat and ribbon-cutting scissors today as he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 9 National Highway projects in Karnataka. Spanning a combined 88 kilometres and involving an investment of over ₹2,000 crore, this infrastructure push was no small feat—even by Gadkari Ji’s record-breaking standards.
Accompanied by fellow Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa, and an entourage of MPs, MLAs, and senior officials, the Minister turned Sagara Town in Shivamogga into the day’s unofficial capital of connectivity.
Among the crown jewels was the newly inaugurated Sharavathi Bridge, now acting as the VIP lane between Malnad and Karnataka’s coastal stretch. Pilgrims heading to Sigandur Chowdeshwari or Kollur Mookambika can now travel with more devotion and less detour.
Over in the north, the Bidar–Humnabad section of NH-367 has been given a long-overdue upgrade, which promises to cut travel time between Kalaburagi and Bidar. It’s a gift to commuters, truckers, and Google Maps’ estimated arrival times.
Meanwhile, in the always-slippery Shiradi Ghat stretch of NH-75—monsoon’s favourite nemesis—restoration works are aiming to ensure smooth sailing between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, even when the heavens open up like a traffic cop with a megaphone.
Connectivity got another lift—literally—with the Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Shahabad and a spanking new Kagina River bridge on NH-50, making Kalaburagi–Raichur travel more river-crossing, less river-wrestling.
Finally, the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway, Karnataka’s own Autobahn, is receiving safety upgrades to make sure cars zip past not just with speed, but with peace of mind. Expect fewer potholes, more cruise control, and maybe—just maybe—less honking.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said, “Our mission is to not just build roads, but to build prosperity. When connectivity improves, so does productivity.” As he concluded, the crowd broke into applause—half in appreciation, half in anticipation of finally seeing their GPS reroute times shrink.
With Karnataka’s highways getting faster, safer, and smoother, one thing’s clear—the only U-turn Gadkari believes in is the one that leads to progress.
