In a major step toward improving road safety on National Highway 48, engineers from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will work alongside local authorities to rectify dangerous design flaws at the accident-prone Badekollamath turn near Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi.
The stretch, located on the Pune–Bengaluru highway near the Hirebagewadi Ghat, has witnessed several fatal accidents over the years, especially during the monsoon season.
The deep descending curve leading into the Kanavi Kuruvina Koppa valley has now officially been identified as structurally unsafe, prompting NHAI to sanction ₹3 crore for corrective measures.
The issue was strongly pursued by Belagavi Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabrao, who is also an engineer by training. After observing a disproportionately high number of fatal crashes on the small stretch of road, he initiated a technical investigation into the possible engineering defects contributing to the accidents.
The issue was strongly pursued by Belagavi Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabrao, who is also an engineer by training. After observing a disproportionately high number of fatal crashes on the small stretch of road, he initiated a technical investigation into the possible engineering defects contributing to the accidents.
Police records revealed that at least 18 fatal accidents had occurred in the same area within a short span of time.
Concerned over the recurring tragedies, the Commissioner sought assistance from the civil engineering department of KLS Gogte Institute of Technology (GIT), Belagavi, to scientifically inspect and assess the road geometry.
A technical team comprising Professors Archana Shagoti, Somanath Khot, and Kartik Kulkarni conducted a detailed site inspection in July 2025. Their survey uncovered multiple critical flaws in the road design, particularly along the descending curve.
A technical team comprising Professors Archana Shagoti, Somanath Khot, and Kartik Kulkarni conducted a detailed site inspection in July 2025. Their survey uncovered multiple critical flaws in the road design, particularly along the descending curve.
According to the report, the curve radius was measured at 220 metres, which falls below the Indian Road Congress (IRC) prescribed minimum standard of 230 metres for highways with an 80 kmph speed limit.
The team also found that the carriageway width narrows dangerously from 11.13 metres to 10.03 metres along the curve and further reduces to 9.53 metres near an underpass, identified as the primary accident hotspot.
According to the report, the curve radius was measured at 220 metres, which falls below the Indian Road Congress (IRC) prescribed minimum standard of 230 metres for highways with an 80 kmph speed limit.
The team also found that the carriageway width narrows dangerously from 11.13 metres to 10.03 metres along the curve and further reduces to 9.53 metres near an underpass, identified as the primary accident hotspot.
The study additionally pointed to overspeeding, rolling terrain, poor lane discipline, and slippery conditions during rains as major factors aggravating accidents in the area.
Based on the findings, the GIT team recommended redesigning the curve, improving the road geometry, introducing proper banking, and enforcing stricter speed control measures to reduce accident risks.
The proposed safety improvements are expected to significantly reduce accidents and provide safer travel for thousands of commuters using the busy NH-48 corridor every day.
