Chennai-Bengaluru Travel to Improve with Rs. 1,338 Cr Project

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has initiated the widening of the 28-km stretch of National Highway 40, which runs from Ranipet to the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border near Chittoor. The road, currently a two-lane highway, will be upgraded to a four-lane road as part of this project.

Project Delayed Due to Alignment and Tender Issues

Originally, the plan was to convert the road into a six-lane highway with an estimated cost of Rs. 980 crore. However, the project faced delays from September 2022 due to challenges with road alignment and tendering issues.

The new four-lane, access-controlled road will provide an alternative route to Bengaluru through Chittoor. This improvement will boost connectivity and allow for faster movement of goods from key areas like BHEL, Ranipet SIPCOT, and local industries to Bengaluru.

Major Infrastructure Additions to the Project

Additionally, the 180 km stretch of the Chittoor-Bengaluru National Highway has already been expanded to four lanes. The upgraded road will also link to the upcoming Chennai-Bengaluru expressway. This will offer a convenient route for motorists traveling from Thiruvannamalai, Arani, Vempakkam, and western parts of Kancheepuram district via the Arcot-Tiruvannamalai-Tindivanam state highway.

Minister Gakari Announces ₹1,338 Crore Funding for NH 40 Upgrade

Gakari mentioned in a recent post on X, “In Tamil Nadu, we have sanctioned ₹1,338 crore for an Access-Controlled Highway project on NH-40, spanning 28 km from Walajapet/Ranipet to the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border.”

The project will include the construction of a 10-km bypass around Walajapet and Ranipet, along with four major bridges and two railway overbridges. Currently, the 330 km Chennai-Bengaluru bypass passes through Walajahpet, Vellore, Ambur, and Hosur.

NH 40, also known as Old Madras Road, has been considered less important due to low traffic over the past two decades. However, the proposal to upgrade it gained momentum about ten years ago. This route serves as an alternative for motorists traveling to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka from northern Tamil Nadu. The highway runs from Walajahpet to Kurnool, passing through Ranipet, Chittoor, and Kadapa.

Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) shared that multiple tenders were previously called for widening the 28 km stretch. However, the project faced delays due to alignment issues and other challenges. With the revised project cost, new tenders will now be issued, and work is expected to begin soon, according to an NHAI official.

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