Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway's 68km Stretch Now Live

The 68 km section of the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, spanning from Hoskote to Bethamangala in Karnataka, has unofficially opened and is currently handling 1,600 to 2,000 vehicles daily. However, toll collection has yet to begin as NHAI is awaiting approval.

The full 260 km expressway, linking Bengaluru to Sriperumbudur, is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with potential restrictions on bikes and autorickshaws. NHAI plans to set up two toll plazas in Karnataka and connect the expressway to the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) for improved connectivity. A challenge near the Hoskote Cloverleaf involves a two-meter water pipeline obstructing a proposed 480-meter ramp and underpass for Kolathur villagers.

Accessing the expressway from Bengaluru remains challenging due to heavy congestion on Old Madras Road, particularly near the SV Road Metro Station, Byappanahalli, Benniganahalli, Tin Factory, and KR Pura. To alleviate traffic, authorities are considering widening the Bengaluru-Kolar highway from four to ten lanes, as over 90,000 vehicles pass through the Hoskote toll gate daily.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.