Chennai-B'luru expressway downgraded to four lanes

04 Feb 2021 CW Staff

The NHAI attributed the decision to the existing alternative national highway between the two capitals and traffic volume.

The existing 326 km Chennai-Bengaluru bypass road sees more than 75,000 vehicles per day, and cannot hold additional traffic. Thus, the eight-lane expressway was proposed to meet the rising industrial demand on the stretch and provide faster connectivity for end-to-end travellers.

The proposed 262 km expressway is expected to reduce the travel distance by 50 km. It will begin at Hoskote in Karnataka and end at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, passing through V Kota and Palamaner in Andhra Pradesh, and Arakkonam and Gudiyattam in Tamil Nadu.

Consultants appointed by NHAI and a few other agencies conducted multiple feasibility reports of the project before the Centre approved it.

Land required for the project was estimated for an eight-lane expressway. For 72 km of the expressway in Karnataka, 817.60 hectares are required, while 918.52 hectares are needed in Andhra Pradesh for 85 km, and 833.91 hectares in Tamil Nadu for 106 km.

Reduction in the road's width was decided considering the traffic and other routes between Chennai and Bengaluru.

An official document of NHAI said that it was proposed to build the four-lane expressway in such a way that it could be expandable to eight-lane.

The NHAI said the expressway would have a depressed median that enables future widening of the road from the inside. Provisions are being made in a manner that the roads can be widened in the future without any additional land acquisition.

Also read: Bids opened for Bangalore-Chennai Expressway

Months ahead of inviting bids for South India's first and inordinately delayed greenfield expressway between Chennai and Bengaluru, the expressway was downgraded to a four-lane stretch. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had planned the project as an eight-lane expressway ever since the preparation of the preliminary feasibility report in 2010. The NHAI attributed the decision to the existing alternative national highway between the two capitals and traffic volume. The existing 326 km Chennai-Bengaluru bypass road sees more than 75,000 vehicles per day, and cannot hold additional traffic. Thus, the eight-lane expressway was proposed to meet the rising industrial demand on the stretch and provide faster connectivity for end-to-end travellers. The proposed 262 km expressway is expected to reduce the travel distance by 50 km. It will begin at Hoskote in Karnataka and end at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, passing through V Kota and Palamaner in Andhra Pradesh, and Arakkonam and Gudiyattam in Tamil Nadu. Consultants appointed by NHAI and a few other agencies conducted multiple feasibility reports of the project before the Centre approved it. Land required for the project was estimated for an eight-lane expressway. For 72 km of the expressway in Karnataka, 817.60 hectares are required, while 918.52 hectares are needed in Andhra Pradesh for 85 km, and 833.91 hectares in Tamil Nadu for 106 km. Reduction in the road's width was decided considering the traffic and other routes between Chennai and Bengaluru. An official document of NHAI said that it was proposed to build the four-lane expressway in such a way that it could be expandable to eight-lane. The NHAI said the expressway would have a depressed median that enables future widening of the road from the inside. Provisions are being made in a manner that the roads can be widened in the future without any additional land acquisition. Also read: Bids opened for Bangalore-Chennai Expressway

Infrastructure Urban

07 Oct 2025

India To Invest $37 Billion To Boost Petrochemical Capacity

India is set to become a major global player in the petrochemicals industry, driven by a planned capital expenditure of $37 billion (Rs 3.1 trillion) aimed at reducing import dependency and enhancing self-sufficiency, according to S&P Global Ratings.In its latest report titled “First China, Now India: Self-Sufficiency Goals Will Add To Petrochemicals Supply”, S&P said India’s large-scale capacity expansion—mirroring China’s earlier push—will likely intensify oversupply pressures in Asia’s petrochemical markets.Currently the world’s third-largest petrochemical consumer a..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Oct 2025

Indian Railways Expands Global Exports Of Rail Equipment

Indian Railways has announced that it is rapidly emerging as a global exporter of railway equipment, including bogies, coaches, locomotives, and propulsion systems, under the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative.According to an official statement, India’s railway products are now reaching over 16 international markets, reflecting the country’s growing capacity to design, develop, and deliver world-class rail solutions.Metro coaches have been exported to Australia and Canada; bogies to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia; propulsion systems t..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Oct 2025

RailTel Awards Rs 163 Million Contract To RTNS Technology

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking, has awarded a domestic work order worth Rs 163 million to RTNS Technology Private Limited.The contract, issued on 30 September 2025, involves the supply and installation of equipment and related services for one of RailTel’s key customers. The project underscores RailTel’s commitment to advancing technology and communication infrastructure through collaboration with domestic system integrators.RTNS Technology Private Limited, an ISO-certified system integrator, provides comprehensive solutions for perim..