B'luru-Chennai expressway to reduce travel time by 2.5 hrs

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The construction of the much awaited BengaluruChennai expressway is likely to end by August this year.

The 262-kilometer four - lane corridor passes through three states, touching Hoskote and Bangarapet in Karnataka, Palamaner, and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, and Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, and is expected to reduce the travel time by 2.5 hours. The road is expected to be thrown open for the public soon after the completion of the works.

Built at a cost of Rs 16, 730 crores, the expressway is also one of South India’s biggest infrastructure projects under construction. Once completed, the project is likely to help boost the economy of the states it passes through. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the government designed the corridor for a speed of 120 mph and shortened the distance between Bengaluru and Chennai from 300km to 262 km.

“The project will be cost-efficient for vehicle operators and lessen fuel consumption. It will strengthen the economic activities in Bengaluru and Chennai and also connect industrial hubs in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to the Chennai port,” said the Union Minister. At present, the average travel time between these two cities is between five to six hours.