Bengaluru To Mangaluru In 4 Hours: 335-Km New Expressway Connecting Coastal Karnataka

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is working on an ambitious plan to create a high-speed expressway that will significantly improve connectivity between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. This expressway will span approximately 335 kilometers, offering seamless, all-weather road access, and is set to transform travel between southern and coastal Karnataka.

Key Features of the Bengaluru - Mangaluru Expressway

The expressway, which will stretch from Bengaluru to Mangaluru, aims to reduce the travel time between the two cities from the current 7-8 hours to just 4 hours. The project will be a 4-6 lane greenfield, access-controlled highway, bypassing the usual congested routes and providing quicker access to key areas like Hassan along the way.

With the increasing traffic between the two cities, this expressway will serve as a crucial corridor for both commercial and passenger vehicles. It will also serve as an essential link between Bengaluru, one of India's major technology hubs, and Mangaluru, which is a key port city on the western coast.

Progress and Bidding Details

As of now, nine firms have submitted bids for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Expressway. MoRTH opened the technical bids for the project on Tuesday, and the next phase involves the evaluation of these technical bids. This process is expected to take a couple of months. Once completed, the financial bids of the technically qualified bidders will be opened to determine the most suitable consultant and contractor.

The MoRTH had invited tenders for the project in June 2024, with a project timeline set for approximately 1.5 years for the DPR and an unknown estimated cost. The technical evaluation and subsequent contract awarding are expected to take place in 2025, with the final DPR likely to be completed by the end of 2026.

Once the DPR is finalised, the project will move through various stages including land acquisition, environmental clearances, and other approvals. As of now, it is expected that construction work for the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Expressway will not commence before 2028. However, once operational, this expressway will greatly reduce travel time, making the long journey between the cities more efficient.

The expressway will play a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity, reducing travel time, and providing faster access to key towns and cities between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. This development is also expected to have significant economic benefits by improving the transportation of goods and services along this corridor.

Once completed, the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Expressway will be a major infrastructure milestone in Karnataka, potentially benefiting millions of commuters, tourists, and businesses that rely on this critical route. For those interested in staying updated on the project's progress, further information and updates will be available on platforms dedicated to the Mangaluru-Bengaluru Expressway project.