To enhance regional connectivity and address missing road links, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to build an 18-kilometre connector between the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway and the Bengaluru-Kolar Highway (NH 75), The Times of India reported. The proposed project, estimated to cost around Rs 2.2 billion, is expected to provide a seamless route for commuters travelling from Bengaluru towards Andhra Pradesh, particularly to destinations like Chittoor and Tirupati. This move comes after the recent partial opening of a 68-km stretch of the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway within Karnataka, which currently connects Hoskote to Bethamangala (Kolar Gold Fields). Though the expressway is toll-free at present, the lack of full connectivity has forced motorists to navigate narrow rural roads beyond Bethamangala. With the construction of this new link, NHAI aims to close the gap by upgrading district roads near Sundarapalya and Mulbagal, thus integrating the expressway more effectively with NH 75. “While the expressway is open, it lacks full connectivity. People exiting at Bethamangala often take village roads to reach their destinations. By improving those roads and linking them with NH 75, we can provide smoother access and increase the number of users,” an NHAI official told the publication. Currently, the partially operational expressway witnesses daily usage of 1,800 to 2,000 vehicles, a number expected to rise once full connectivity is established. Officials believe this will also support the future introduction of toll collection. In addition, despite being off-limits, two-wheelers have reportedly started using the expressway, prompting local police to implement safety measures and NHAI to strengthen access control at entry points. By linking major corridors and improving local road infrastructure, the highway authority aims to reduce reliance on village routes and create a faster, safer, and more efficient travel experience between Bengaluru and key locations in the Chennai-bound corridor.