Telangana: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded the contract for upgrading the Gudebellur–Mahabubnagar stretch of National Highway-167 in Telangana to four lanes. The project has been assigned to KNR Constructions Limited at a cost of ₹1,734 crore under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Spanning 80 km, the corridor forms part of the larger Hyderabad–Panaji Economic Corridor and received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in February 2026.

The project scope includes significant infrastructure development such as five major bridges, 36 minor bridges, 260 culverts, 11 vehicular underpasses, 22 light vehicular underpasses (LVUPs), one railway overbridge/underbridge, 48 km of service roads, and a 56 km slip road network.

At present, the Gudebellur–Mahabubnagar section experiences heavy congestion, especially across populated areas like Gudebellur, Magnoor, Makthal, Marikal, Devarkadra, Jaklair, Yeligandla and Banderpally. The proposed four-laning is expected to reduce travel time, ease bottlenecks, enhance safety, and streamline both passenger and freight movement.

Beyond improving road capacity, the corridor is set to boost regional connectivity by integrating three PM Gati Shakti economic nodes, nine social nodes, and seven logistics nodes. It will also enhance access to Hyderabad’s key industrial and commercial hubs, including the Hyderabad–Bengaluru NICDC corridor, pharmaceutical and medical clusters, and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Once completed, the upgraded highway will strengthen connectivity between key urban centres such as Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, Raichur, Devarkadra, Makthal, and Hyderabad, while also improving access to important religious and tourist destinations in the region. DeshBharat