Jan 6, 2023
Union minister for roads and highways Nitin Gadkari inspected the Bengaluru – Chennai Expressway work.
Image Source: TNN
The 262km Chennai-Bengaluru expressway is likely to be completed by March 2024. (Photo: Twitter)
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The expressway is likely to reduce travel time between the two south Indian cities by some two hours. (Photo: Twitter)
Image Source: TNN
Currently, road travel between Bengaluru and Chennai is a 5-6 hour-long affair but the ministry and NHAI say travel time will be brought down to just 2 hours and 15 minutes.
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Gadkari inspected a stretch of the Rs 16,730 crore project at Vadaganahalli near Hoskote on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
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Gadkari said nearly 32-36% of the work in Karnataka has been completed, and is prepared to quicken the transportation between Bengaluru & Chennai.
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The project, which will also pass through Andhra, has been designed to allow vehicles to travel at a legal speed of 120kmph. (Photo: Twitter)
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National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had aimed to complete the expressway by September 2023. However, Gadkari said procuring forest permissions has been a major impediment and had caused delays. (Photo: Twitter)
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Gadkari added that accelerating economic activities, expressway is beneficial for vehicle operating costs and lower fuel consumption. (Photo: Twitter)
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"If the state government helps us in getting the required green clearances then we can finish the expressway by January next year instead of March," Gadkari told reporters. (Photo: Twitter)
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The Karnataka stretch comprises 71km and has been divided into three packages within the state. (Photo: Twitter)
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Two contractors — Dilip Buildcon Pvt Ltd and KCC Buildcon Ltd — have been entrusted with building the Karnataka leg of the expressway. (Photo: Twitter)
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This expressway will bring down logistical costs of exports at the Chennai port by 4-6% of its existing share in overall costs, added Gadkari. (Photo: Twitter)
Image Source: TNN