High-speed Bengaluru-Mangaluru Expressway to enhance connectivity

11 Nov 2024 CW Team

Spanning around 335 kilometres, the proposed four-to-six-lane expressway will pass through Hassan and include bypasses around challenging Western Ghats terrain. Once complete, it is expected to cut travel time from the current 7-8 hours significantly.

Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized the need for the project, citing Mangaluru’s limited connectivity, which impacts port development and tourism. “Mangaluru is virtually cut off from the rest of the state, and the port’s potential remains untapped due to connectivity issues,” Rao stated. He acknowledged potential environmental and financial hurdles, suggesting that Karnataka’s Public Works Department (PWD) will collaborate with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on alignment, land acquisition, and financing, possibly including township developments for economic viability.

The current Bengaluru-Mangaluru route (NH-75) faces frequent landslides and seasonal closures, particularly in the Shiradi Ghat section. NHAI is addressing these bottlenecks, working on a four-lane extension of the Hassan-Sakleshpur-Maranahalli section, expected to be completed by mid-2025. Plans for the Shiradi Ghat include additional lanes with a combination of flyovers and tunnels, with a DPR underway for this section.

This new expressway aims to bolster connectivity, drive economic growth, and position Mangaluru’s port as a key transport hub.

(Deccan Herald)

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is moving forward with plans to develop a high-speed expressway connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru, aiming to create an all-weather, seamless route between southern and coastal Karnataka. In July, MoRTH invited bids for a consulting firm to prepare the detailed project report (DPR), and nine firms have now submitted proposals. The contract is expected to be awarded in 2025, with the selected contractor given 540 days to complete the DPR. Construction is anticipated to begin by 2028. Spanning around 335 kilometres, the proposed four-to-six-lane expressway will pass through Hassan and include bypasses around challenging Western Ghats terrain. Once complete, it is expected to cut travel time from the current 7-8 hours significantly. Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized the need for the project, citing Mangaluru’s limited connectivity, which impacts port development and tourism. “Mangaluru is virtually cut off from the rest of the state, and the port’s potential remains untapped due to connectivity issues,” Rao stated. He acknowledged potential environmental and financial hurdles, suggesting that Karnataka’s Public Works Department (PWD) will collaborate with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on alignment, land acquisition, and financing, possibly including township developments for economic viability. The current Bengaluru-Mangaluru route (NH-75) faces frequent landslides and seasonal closures, particularly in the Shiradi Ghat section. NHAI is addressing these bottlenecks, working on a four-lane extension of the Hassan-Sakleshpur-Maranahalli section, expected to be completed by mid-2025. Plans for the Shiradi Ghat include additional lanes with a combination of flyovers and tunnels, with a DPR underway for this section. This new expressway aims to bolster connectivity, drive economic growth, and position Mangaluru’s port as a key transport hub. (Deccan Herald)

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Sep 2025

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Sep 2025

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..