Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway: 71-Km Karnataka’s Part Nears Finish Line, Toll Yet To Be Decided

The 71-kilometer (km) segment of the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway (BCE) in Karnataka is on track to be completed within a month, as confirmed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This ambitious project aims to enhance connectivity between two of South India's major cities, as reported by moneycontrol.

The NHAI's Regional Officer (Karnataka), Vilas P Brahmankar informed Moneycontrol that the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway's Karnataka section, spanning from Hoskote to Bethamangala, is almost complete. "Only a 400-meter portion remains unfinished," he said, attributing the delay to relocating a temple at Jinnagera Cross near Hoskote, which was resolved two weeks ago. Brahmankar is optimistic that the entire section will be ready within a month.As construction nears its final phase, discussions on toll collection are still underway. The toll rates are yet to be determined, but Brahmankar expects traffic volumes to rise significantly once the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu segments are completed next year. Once operational, Bengaluru motorists can use the expressway to conveniently reach places like Malur and Bangarpet.

Key Features of the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway

The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway (NE-7), South India's first greenfield access-controlled expressway, runs from Hoskote near Bengaluru to Sriperumbudur near Chennai. Initially designed as a four-lane highway with plans for future expansion to eight lanes, the expressway is set to reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai to just four hours. Travel from Hoskote to KGF town will take only 45 minutes, a significant improvement over the current 1.5-hour drive.

The expressway will include interchanges at Hoskote, Malur, and KGF, with a maximum speed limit of 120 km/h. The project is expected to improve connectivity and logistics in the region, with plans to link to the proposed multi-modal logistics park at Dobbspet.

Timeline and Current Status

Initially announced in 2011, the expressway's foundation stone was laid in 2022. Originally scheduled for completion by October 2024, the deadline has been extended to June 2025, with full completion now expected by December 2025.

Existing Routes

Currently, there are three primary routes connecting Bengaluru and Chennai: via Hosur and Krishnagiri (380 km), Old Madras Road (340 km), and a route through Kolar, KGF, and Vellore. The new expressway aims to streamline and shorten these journeys, providing a faster and more efficient route between the two cities.