Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways clear the revised estimate for Hassan-Belur road - The HinduPublished - September 08, 2026 08:29 pm IST - ShivamoggaHassan MP Shreyas M. Patel says the Ministry had approved the revised estimated cost of ₹470.85 crore for the projectThe Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has accorded administrative, technical and financial approval to the revised cost estimate for widening National Highway–373 between Belur and Hassan to four lanes with paved shoulders.Hassan MP Shreyas M. Patel, in a communique to reporters on Tuesday, said the Ministry had approved the revised estimate of ₹470.85 crore for the project — down from the original sanctioned cost of ₹698.08 crore. Mr. Patel said he had been pursuing the Ministry to clear the revised estimate and grant administrative approval so that the long-pending project could move forward.As per the revised estimate, ₹115.30 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition. The Ministry has directed the State Public Works Department to fix the “appointed date” for commencement of work by October 31, 2026, after expediting the disbursement of land compensation. The physical work is targeted for completion by the 2029-30 financial year, according to the phased implementation schedule cleared by the Ministry.The Belur-Hassan stretch of NH-373 is a key route for residents of Hassan district, as well as for travellers heading to Chikkamagaluru and tourists visiting the Hoysala temples in the region, Mr. Patel said, adding that the widening would give a boost to tourism.The original ₹698.08-crore sanction, issued in March 2023, had run into difficulties after the land acquisition cost escalated sharply — to nearly ₹316 crore, government records show — as the land use in several survey numbers changed to non-agricultural status after the initial acquisition notification, pushing up compensation liability.Following directions from the Ministry to minimise land acquisition, the State PWD redesigned the project’s cross-sections and road width, cutting the land required for the project to 31.84 hectares from the earlier extent of 56.83 hectares, besides redesigning utility corridors, drains and other ancillary features to fit within a reduced right-of-way.Published - September 08, 2026 08:29 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }