NHAI plans expressway from Blore to Chennai

NHAI plans expressway from Blore to Chennai
Bangalore, DHNS:

Travel to Chennai by road could soon be a smooth and fast experience if the words of Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K H Muniyappa are to be believed.

Briefing presspersons on the achievements of the UPA led government here on Saturday, Muniyappa said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun a feasibility study to construct a 330-km expressway from Bangalore to Chennai.

“The study report will be out next month, after which the cost estimates will be worked out. Once ready it will enable free and faster travel, without any hindrance such as animals and people coming in the way of vehicles,” the minister said.

NHAI will decide the number of lanes on the proposed expressway and the cost estimates of undertaking the project alignment after the feasibility study is out, based on traffic projection.

Shiradi Ghat

Muniyappa, while also announcing that a new concrete road would be constructed at Shiradi Ghat in the wake of increasing complaints on the bad condition of the stretch near Mangalore, blamed the State government for its pathetic condition.

“The problem of extreme bad condition of the Shiradi Ghat has arisen because trucks overload the capacity by four times. The district collector is responsible to carry out checks to prevent such overloading. The State government is also responsible for its upkeep,” the minister remarked.

He then said that in view of such complaints increasing, a new 23-km concrete road would be laid. “We are ready to fund the highway, let the State government give us the estimates,” he added.