HAM Model Highway Blitz: 100 km of Roads Go 4-Lane, No Tolls

The government has proposed the development of a 43-km stretch between Bhongir on NH 163 and Chityal on NH 65 to improve connectivity between Warangal and Vijayawada. The project forms part of a broader plan to widen and upgrade 100 km of roads into four lanes under the hybrid annuity model (HAM).

Other stretches identified for development include Medchal–Shamirpet and Dundigal–Medchal, each approximately 10 km long. In addition, the Hayathnagar–Anajpur and Hayathnagar–Taramatipet roads, together spanning about 15 km, will be upgraded under HAM with a median divider. According to a senior Roads and Buildings (R&B) department official, around 12,000 km of the 29,000-km R&B road network is being developed through HAM, without levying tolls on commuters.

Phase 1 of the initiative focuses on widening, strengthening, and maintaining roads. It covers 419 roads with a combined length of 5,824.27 km, grouped into 32 packages and approved at a total cost of Rs 1,140 crore. Under the HAM framework, the government will pay 40 per cent of the project cost during the construction period in 10 equal instalments, linked to physical progress at various stages.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.