National Highway 13 (India)(old numbering)

National Highway 13
Route information
Length:	691 km (429 mi)
Major junctions
From:	Solapur, Maharashtra
	NH 9 in Solapur NH 211 in Solapur NH 218 in Bijapur NH 63 in Hospet NH 4 in Chitradurga NH 206 in Shimoga NH 17 in Mangalore NH 48 in Mangalore NH 169 A in Theerthahalli
To:	Mangalore, Karnataka
Location
States:	Maharashtra: 43 km (27 mi) Karnataka: 648 km (403 mi)
Primary destinations:	Solapur - Bijapur - Chitradurga - Mangalore
Highway system
Indian road network National Expressways State ← NH 12A NH 14 →

National Highway 13 (NH 13), now renamed NH 50,^[1] is a National Highway in India that runs from Solapur in Maharashtra to Mangalore in Karnataka. The total length of NH 13 is 691 km (429 mi). The original NH 13 ran from Solapur to Chitradurga and ended at the intersection of NH 4. It has recently been extended to Mangalore.^[2]

NH 13 passes through the towns of Bijapur, Basavana Bagewadi, Hosapete and Shivamogga. It passes through all geographical regions of Karnataka state, including Bayaluseemae, Malenadu and Karavali.

A 99 km (62 mi) stretch of NH-13 is tolled, from Hungund to Hospet. This section was built at the cost of 1700 crore (US$270 million).

Widening projects

Toll Plaza on the Hungund-Hospet stretch.

Though the road is a national highway, it is narrow along many stretches, which causes frequent mishaps. In particular, the stretch between Chitradurga and Hospet is extremely bad and with heavy truck traffic. Driving this stretch in a car, particularly at night, is not advisable due to bad road conditions. It is currently being upgraded to 4 lanes. The work is complete from Bijapur to Hospet.

At the other end of the highway, a proposal to widen the 50 km (31 mi) Mangalore-Shimoga stretch passing through Moodabidri, Karkala, Sringeri, Koppa and Thirthahalli has been delayed, as the forest department has raised objections to road widening in the ghat and forest areas. NHAI sent a proposal to the Union government for widening the stretch into a four-lane, 60-meter wide grade separated highway. According to the proposal the road would be widened to four lanes between Mangalore and Moodbidri, and the stretch between Moodbidri and Karkala would be two lanes, as it receives less traffic.^[3][4] As the forest department does not allow the widening of the roads going through the Western Ghats, it is expected that a tunnel will be built, similar to the NH-48 tunnel to the Shiradi Ghat that has been proposed by Japanese consultants. A tunnel would reduce travel time by 3 hours, reduce fuel usage, and increase the productivity of the industries around. It will also provide an alternative route for the trucks transporting materials to the seaport and air-cargo facility at Mangalore.

The Solapur-Bijapur-Hungund-Hospet-Chitradurga stretch is being upgraded to a four-lane, 60-meter wide grade-separated highway. The widening work in this stretch is in different stages of completion. The Chitradurga-Shimoga-Mangalore section has been identified for a two-lane national highway standard upgrade.

See also

• List of National Highways in India (by Highway Number)

References

1. "Mangalore: Widening of National Highway 13, Renamed NH 169, Doomed?". The Mangalorean. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
3. "‘Shift Pumpwell kalasha’". The Hindu. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
4. Kamila, Raviprasad (16 November 2013). "NHAI to widen highway from Mangalore to Karkala". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 May 2014.

External links