Chennai: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inspected the progress of the Bengaluru – Chennai Expressway on Thursday. The 8-lane Expressway which is 262 km long is being constructed at a cost of Rs 16,730 crores.
Taking to social media, Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “Inspected the progress of the Bengaluru – Chennai Expressway with Karnataka PWD Minister Shri @CCPatilBJP Ji and MP Shri @BNBachegowda_MP Ji. We are constructing this 262 km long 8-Lane structure worth of ₹16,730 Cr.”
“It is designed for a speed of 120 kmph and shortened the distance between Bengaluru & Chennai from 300 km to 262 km,” he said.
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The Minister said: “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. #PragatiKaHighway #GatiShakti.”
The inspection comes after several complains and allegations related to the project.
In August, a stretch of Ramanagara district in Bengaluru Division was submerged in the rains. There were also allegations of substandard work done by the workers.
PM Modi laid the foundation stone in May 2022 and the road is expected to pass through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The expressway is also expected to connect Malur, Bangarpet, KGF, Chittoor and Ranipet. The lane will end at Sriperumbudur in Kanchipuram district.
After the construction of the expressway, the travel time from Bengaluru to Chennai is likely to be reduced from seven hours to three hours.