Though a part of the National Highway 52, half of the around 29 km stretch from Hubballi to Kalghtagi is still a two-lane, resulting in slow movement of traffic and accidents. As the movement of vehicular traffic is also more on this stretch, with many people commuting between Kalghatgi and Hubballi using buses and private vehicles daily, and vehicles do not get space for overtaking on many occasions on the two-lane stretch, journey time is relatively more, while accidents also take place.

In this 160 km road from Hubballi to Baleguli Cross near Ankola in Uttara Kannada district, an 8.2 km stretch from Hubballi to Anchatgeri, and a 6.8 km stretch in and around Kalghatgi town are made four-lane (15 metre wide). However, the 14.6 km stretch from Anchatgeri near Hubballi to Dharwad Cross near Kalghatgi is still a two-lane.

The Public Works Department (PWD) National Highways Division has now submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to upgrade the stretch from Anchatgeri to Dharwad Cross into a 15-metre-wide four-lane road, under the annual plan for 2026-27.

After the proposal gets approval from the Union government, additional land required for the four-laning would be acquired and the works would be completed in two years from then, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi told the Legislative Assembly in reply to a query by Deputy Leader of Opposition in Assembly Arvind Bellad.

From Kalghatgi to Baleguli Cross (106.5 km), the road is two-lane with the width ranging from seven metres to 13 metres, having paved shoulders on two stretches (3.7 km - 10 metre width, 0.7 km - 13 metre width). The state government has clarified that there is no proposal now to make this stretch a four-lane as it requires the acquisition of forest land.

The average daily movement of vehicles on NH 52 from Hubballi to Ankola, as per a traffic survey conducted in 2024, was 22,706 passenger car units (PCUs). This includes 30,053 PCUs at Kempageri in Hubballi, 29,984 PCUs at Kalghatgi, 13,327 PCUs at Yellapur, and 19,039 PCUs at Balegurli Cross.

The number of cars, motorcycles, light commercial vehicles, buses, trucks, agricultural tractors and animal-drawn vehicles counted is also more at Kalghatgi and Kampageri, than Yellapur and Baleguli Cross, according to the data compiled by the PWD.

To reduce traffic congestion and accidents on this road, according to the minister, accident zone sign boards, rumble strips, thermoplastic paint, and road studs are being installed as per the IRC norms.