Chennai-B’luru expressway set to be operational in Dec

Chennai: South India’s first expressway, linking Chennai to Bengaluru, is all set to open in Dec, with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) having completed over 60% of the work in Tamil Nadu.
The four-lane highway, which runs for about 106km in Tamil Nadu, is an access-controlled route with entry and exit points limited to seven locations. Vehicles can run at speeds up to 120kmph.Starting at Irungattukottai, this Tamil Nadu segment concludes at Gudipala on Andhra Pradesh border.
At the Irungattukottai junction, a significant trumpet interchange, similar to the Kathipara junction, will connect the expressway with NH-4. This 129-crore project is expected to be taken up in the upcoming weeks.
The Tamil Nadu section of the expressway (Irungattukottai-Walajapet) features no major towns on the route. It is designed to streamline the movement of cars, buses, and heavy trucks, particularly those transporting goods to and from Chennai Port.
NHAI officials stress the importance of timely approvals to meet the Dec deadline set by Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari. While the state govt is approving mandatory clearances, the officials say permissions should be granted within 15-20 days. The central agency has already completed the acquisition of private land necessary for the greenfield project and is currently distributing compensation to patta owners.
Spanning 262km in total, the expressway will significantly reduce travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru by about three hours.
S Yuvraj of the Tamil Nadu lorry owners’ association remarked, “Even though the road widening is still incomplete, NHAI has allowed contractors to collect toll fees. Once the road is fully widened and operational, toll rates should be reduced by 40% as promised in Parliament last year.”