Hubli
The widening of the NH-4 bypass from Narendra Cross to Gabbur Cross has been delayed due to continuous rainfall. The project has faced a slowdown, causing difficulties for motorists, and three fatalities have been reported in the past two weeks.
The Union government approved the widening of the bypass into a six-lane road with service roads on both sides in 2022, following multiple protests. Work began in March 2023 under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and progressed quickly until May 2024. However, since June, the heavy rainfall has halted the project.
The bypass has been considered dangerous for motorists due to the narrow road. Numerous accidents, some fatal, have occurred in the past. Initially, road safety was managed by a private company, but after their contract ended, security measures such as CCTV cameras were removed. This has led to increased concerns among commuters about safety, as incidents of threats and extortion have been reported.
Progress on the widening work has reached about 45 percent. The roadwork is expected to resume after the service road works are completed and once the rainy season ends. Land acquisition for the project is still ongoing. It has been assured that the project will be completed by the end of September 2025.
Efforts have been made to improve road safety by installing new security equipment soon.
