Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway Will Reduce Travel Time Between The Two Cities to Just Two Hours
In a significant development for road infrastructure, the 262-kilometer-long Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway (BCE) is nearing completion in the near future. This expressway will significantly reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai. Officially known as NE-7, this new route will cut travel time to just two to two and a half hours, compared to the current seven to eight hours.
Additionally, this expressway will shorten the distance between Bengaluru and Chennai by 80 kilometers. With vehicles allowed to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h, it will enhance both efficiency and safety.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, recently announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the expressway before December 2024. Initially, the estimated completion date was March 2024. Constructed at a cost of over ₹17,930 crore, this expressway will pass through three states - Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
The route of this expressway includes major cities such as Hoskote, Malur, Bangarapet, Kolar Gold Fields, Palamaner, Venkategirikota, Chittoor, Bangarupalem, Ranipet, and Sriperumbudur.
The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway features an eight-lane highway for 240 kilometers and a 22-kilometer elevated section. It includes a special segment: a 21-kilometer four-lane double-decker elevated road connecting Chennai Port to Maduravoyal, constructed at a cost of approximately ₹5,850 crore. This segment is designed to ensure the seamless flow of goods to and from Chennai Port, thereby strengthening the economic infrastructure of the region.
In addition to the BCE, the region will benefit from other infrastructure projects. This includes a 94-kilometer-long highway from Neruluru to Dharmapuri (NH-844), constructed at a cost of around ₹3,870 crore, and a 31-kilometer two-lane highway connecting Meensurutti to Chidambaram (NH-277), built at a cost of approximately ₹720 crore. These projects will enhance connectivity in the region and facilitate smooth travel.
Currently, there are three primary routes between Bengaluru and Chennai: Old Madras Road, via Hosur and Krishnagiri/Golden Quadrilateral, and a third route via Kolar-KGF-Kota and Vellore. Among these, the nearly 380-kilometer-long Golden Quadrilateral route is the most used.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is overseeing the construction of the BCE under the Bharatmala Project Program. The foundation stone for this transformative expressway was laid by PM Modi in May 2022, with an initial budget of over ₹14,870 crore.
Once completed, the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway will not only reduce travel time but also significantly enhance regional connectivity, boost economic activities, and improve the overall travel experience between these two vibrant cities.
