The long-awaited dream of Belagavi’s first flyover has taken a significant step forward, with an official survey now underway. On Tuesday, April 22, officials from the Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department (PWD), National Highways Authority, and the Provincial Commissioner’s office jointly conducted a survey from Samrat Ashok Chowk to Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Chowk near the fort area—marking visible progress in the early stages of this landmark infrastructure project.
Among the key officials present were Reshma Talikoti, Deputy Commissioner of Municipal Revenue; Shravan Kumar Naik, Revenue Department Commissioner; and municipal revenue personnel. The team was tasked with gathering crucial information on land ownership and usage on both sides of the proposed route.
The flyover, which is proposed to span 4.5 kilometers from National Highway-48 (near Sankam Hotel) to Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle and onward via Dr. Ambedkar Road and KLE Hospital, is expected to alleviate mounting traffic congestion and ease vehicular movement across the city’s key junctions.
Land Acquisition in Focus
During the survey, the Revenue Department was instructed to furnish detailed data on income-generating assets located along the planned route. Both government and private properties are expected to be affected by the land acquisition process. This step is crucial for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which will guide the subsequent tendering and construction phases.
District Guardian Minister and State Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who has been the driving force behind the project, reiterated his commitment to the flyover during a press interaction on Monday, April 21. He assured citizens that once the actual work begins, the flyover would be completed within two years.
Although a key meeting to discuss land acquisition and design improvements was scheduled at the DC’s office on Saturday, April 19, it was postponed due to the other commitments. Nevertheless, with the field survey officially launched just days later, preparations have gained significant momentum.
Minister Jarkiholi first floated the idea of a Belagavi flyover shortly after the Congress government came to power in 2023, and he was entrusted with the Public Works portfolio. Though an initial survey was done at that time, the project stalled due to a lack of dedicated funding.
Minister Jarkiholi had also lobbied the central government, meeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari multiple times to seek additional funding. When central assistance didn’t materialize, he resolved to proceed using state funds—demonstrating the state’s commitment to fast-tracking this transformative project.
With the survey completed and data collection underway, the DPR is expected to be finalized in the coming months, followed by the tendering process and finally the commencement of construction. If timelines remain on track, physical construction could begin by mid-2026, and the flyover might be operational by 2028.
Belagavi is now closer than ever to getting its first major flyover—an infrastructural milestone that promises to reshape the city’s urban mobility and reduce congestion for years to come.