Bengaluru-Chennai express highway set for year-end debut

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has revealed that the long-awaited Bengaluru-Chennai express highway will become operational by the end of this year or by January 2024. Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebrations of Ashok Leyland, he emphasised the potential for luxury buses and sleeper coaches on this route. Additionally, Gadkari highlighted the extensive infrastructure development, including the access-controlled highway project, which will soon link Chennai to Delhi via several major cities.Gadkari, who recently launched India's first electric commercial vehicles in its category, stressed the increasing demand for electric buses and urged the automobile industry to focus on biofuels and alternative energy vehicles to help achieve India's economic goals. He mentioned his efforts to diversify agriculture into the energy and power sector and promote vehicles running on bio-ethanol and methanol-blended fuels.The Indian Oil Corporation's bio-ethanol-based fuels and the possibility of ethanol production from food grains in Tamil Nadu were also discussed. Gadkari expressed satisfaction with the progress of National Highways projects and revealed that work on the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway project would commence soon.Ashok Leyland unveiled its IeV series, India's first electric commercial vehicles, during the event, including a hydrogen fuel cell bus and the country's first hydrogen internal combustion engine truck. Gadkari emphasised the significance of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for the future, aiming to reduce fossil fuel imports, lower logistics costs, and boost India's global competitiveness in exports.The event concluded with a commitment to shape the future of sustainable transportation and support India's economic development.