For thousands of commuters traveling the bustling National Highway-48, the stretch between Nelamangala toll and Tumakuru has become a daily nightmare. A critical highway widening project, plagued by lengthy delays, has turned their journeys into a grueling ordeal of relentless traffic, suffocating dust, and alarming safety risks. The worst part? They’re facing a potential wait until 2027 for the entire project to be finished.
This road is more than just asphalt; it’s a lifeline connecting Bengaluru to the vital central and northern regions of Karnataka. Therefore, these persistent delays are profoundly impacting countless daily travelers. The expansion of this crucial 44.04-kilometer segment of NH48, from the Nelamangala toll gate to Tumakuru, ground to a halt primarily because of protracted land acquisition disputes.
Even though construction picked up again in April following a six-month hiatus, frustration among commuters is palpable. The service roads, essential for diverting traffic, were originally promised by August 2025. This ambitious project, initiated in August 2022, aims to transform the current four-lane highway into a six-lane access-controlled expressway, complete with two-lane service roads flanking both sides.
The initial strategy was straightforward: build the service roads first, reroute traffic onto them, and then proceed with the main highway expansion without interruption. However, officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) now indicate that the service roads won’t open until June 2026, pushing the completion of the entire widening project to March 2027.
Ravi S., Inspector of Nelamangala traffic police, shared his concerns with The Hindu, explaining that the temporary service roads are now chronically congested, effectively paralyzing free movement. He highlighted a distressing consequence: a significant surge in two-wheeler accidents. “After an incident, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to clear the scene, and even longer for more serious crashes,” he noted, emphasizing the cascading delays.
Sandeep, who heads Ambulance Karnataka Road Safety (AKRS) in Tumakuru district, expressed grave concerns. He revealed that even seemingly minor health issues like chest pain or breathing difficulties are escalating into critical emergencies because ambulances are stuck in traffic, unable to reach hospitals quickly. This escalating congestion is literally putting lives at risk for patients needing urgent medical care.
He recalled, “Previously, a trip to Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru would take around an hour and a half. Now, with these relentless traffic jams, it’s pushing past two hours. For someone experiencing a heart attack or another medical emergency, this extra delay can be the difference between life and death.” He implored authorities to accelerate the road construction and implement immediate alternative solutions to guarantee swift, unimpeded access for ambulances and critical patients.
Ambulance driver Yogesh S. echoed these frustrations, noting that the numerous diversions along the highway have become severe bottlenecks, particularly during rush hour and late evenings. “Every second is crucial for an ambulance, but here, it can take 10 to 15 agonizing minutes just to navigate a single diversion,” he lamented. This dire situation has made it incredibly difficult for patients in critical condition to reach hospitals in time, often jeopardizing their lives.
Hima Kumari, a bank employee who commutes between Bengaluru and Tumakuru daily for the past four years, described her commute as a grueling ordeal. The incessant road construction has led to colossal traffic jams, regularly extending her travel time to work by over two hours. Weekends, she added, offer no respite, as navigating the heavy congestion to get home turns into an equally daunting task.
Siddalinge Gowda, another frustrated commuter, highlighted the severe impact: “The continuous highway work has created monstrous traffic snarls, subjecting daily travelers to delays exceeding two hours. This persistent congestion isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a source of immense stress, making everyday commuting a deeply unpleasant experience for everyone.”
Anil Kumar M. P., a student, shared his academic struggles: “Every single day, I’m stuck in traffic for over an hour, often missing my first class entirely. It’s really hurting my studies.” This disruption to their academic routine, caused by the prolonged delays, is a growing source of concern and frustration for students reliant on this route.