Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway: Sholinghur–Banavaram Toll Plaza Ready for Operation

The Sholinghur-Banavaram entry/exit toll plaza on the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway is now fully built and ready, marking another step forward for South India's first greenfield expressway. With the NE-7 corridor steadily progressing, this milestone brings commuters closer to a seamless high-speed travel experience between Bengaluru and Chennai.

Although the 68-km Karnataka stretch of the expressway was completed and informally opened in December 2024, progress in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu has lagged. The Karnataka portion has been witnessing steady traffic since last month, even as the official inauguration is still pending.

Responding to a query from Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently stated that the remaining stretches are now excpected to be completed by mid-2026.

Once fully operational, the 260-km expressway-South India's first greenfield corridor-will reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai from seven hours to just three. Built for speeds up to 120 km/h, this ₹17,900 crore project promises to boost connectivity, cut down fuel consumption, and support economic activity across the region.

Traffic has already picked up on the open stretch, with an average of 1,600 to 2,000 vehicles using it daily. However, after a tragic accident claimed four lives-including that of a two-year-old girl-the NHAI has banned two-wheeler entry on safety grounds.

Currently, motorists exit via a village road to reach Mulbagal and cross into Andhra Pradesh. But with toll plazas like the one at Sholinghur-Banavaram now in place, the expressway is gradually transforming from a work-in-progress to a game-changer for intercity travel in the South.