NH-65 expansion: Telangana minister pushes NHAI to begin work by January 2027
Synopsis
Telangana's Roads Minister secured a concrete timeline from NHAI — tenders by 11 November, construction by January 2027 — for widening the heavily accident-prone Hyderabad–Vijayawada NH-65 from four to six lanes. After years of delays on one of southern India's busiest inter-state corridors, this commitment is the strongest official signal yet that the long-pending upgrade may finally move from paper to pavement.
Key Takeaways
Telangana Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy met NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav in New Delhi on 12 October 2026 to push for faster execution of the NH-65 expansion.
NHAI has set 11 November as the deadline for tender submissions for the project.
Construction is expected to begin by January 2027 , per NHAI's assurance.
The project involves widening NH-65 from four lanes to six lanes , with service roads on both sides and controlled-access facilities.
The corridor is critical for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh , carrying thousands of daily commuters and freight vehicles.
The minister cited rising traffic congestion and frequent road accidents as the primary drivers for urgent expansion.
Telangana's Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Monday, 12 October 2026, urged National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav to fast-track the expansion of the Hyderabad–Vijayawada–Machilipatnam National Highway-65 (NH-65), pressing for construction to commence without further delay. The meeting, held in New Delhi, also included NHAI Member (Projects) Vipnesh Sharma.
NHAI Sets November Tender Deadline
Responding to the minister's push, NHAI Chairman Yadav announced that 11 November has been fixed as the deadline for submitting tenders for the project. He further assured that construction work would formally commence by January 2027. According to an official release, the commitment came after the minister raised concerns about mounting traffic congestion and the frequency of road accidents on the corridor.
What the Expansion Entails
The proposed project involves widening the existing four-lane highway to a six-lane configuration, along with the development of service roads on both sides and controlled-access facilities. Once complete, the upgrade is expected to ease vehicular movement, cut travel time, and significantly improve road safety on one of the most heavily trafficked inter-state corridors in southern India.
Why NH-65 Matters
The Hyderabad–Vijayawada corridor is a critical artery for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, serving thousands of commuters, commercial vehicles, and freight operators daily. The highway has a longstanding record of accidents, attributed partly to inadequate lane capacity and the absence of proper service roads. This is not the first time state officials have flagged the urgency of the upgrade — the corridor has been on expansion watch-lists for several years, underscoring chronic delays in project execution.
Minister's Broader Case
Minister Venkat Reddy framed the expansion in terms that go beyond infrastructure convenience, arguing that road development directly translates into lives saved, commerce enabled, and inter-state connectivity strengthened between the two Telugu states. He affirmed that Telangana would maintain continuous coordination with central agencies to ensure the NH-65 expansion is delivered on schedule. The minister also urged NHAI to prioritise commuter safety throughout the tender and construction phases.
With tender submissions now due by 11 November and a construction start targeted for January 2027, the coming weeks will be a key test of whether the latest round of high-level engagement translates into ground-level action on a corridor that cannot afford more delays.
Point of View
But the track record on NH-65 warrants scepticism — this corridor has been flagged for capacity upgrades for years, and timelines have slipped before. The tender-first, construction-later sequencing means January 2027 is an optimistic floor, not a guarantee. What will actually determine outcomes is whether land acquisition, utility shifting, and contractor mobilisation proceed in parallel rather than in sequence. A minister's meeting and a verbal assurance are necessary steps, but southern India's most accident-prone inter-state highway needs a publicly monitored milestone framework, not just a deadline.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NH-65 expansion project?
The NH-65 expansion involves widening the Hyderabad–Vijayawada–Machilipatnam National Highway from four lanes to six lanes, with service roads on both sides and controlled-access facilities. The project aims to ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and improve road safety on a key inter-state corridor linking Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
When will construction on NH-65 begin?
NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav has assured that construction work will begin by January 2027. The deadline for tender submissions has been set at 11 November 2026.
Why is the Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway expansion urgent?
The highway carries thousands of commuters and commercial vehicles daily and has a persistent record of traffic congestion and road accidents. Telangana Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy specifically cited commuter safety and the need to reduce fatalities as the primary reasons for pressing NHAI to accelerate the project.
Who is overseeing the NH-65 expansion?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), headed by Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav, is the central agency responsible for the expansion. Telangana's Roads and Buildings Ministry, led by Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, is coordinating with NHAI to ensure timely completion.
Which states benefit from the NH-65 expansion?
Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh stand to benefit, as NH-65 is a primary transport artery connecting Hyderabad with Vijayawada and Machilipatnam. The expansion is expected to boost commercial activity and strengthen inter-state connectivity between the two Telugu states.
