Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Thursday that efforts are being made to complete the Chennai-Bengaluru greenfield expressway by December this year. Mr. Gadkari emphasized the need for cooperation from the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in providing construction materials such as aggregates and fly ash for the respective projects. He assured the Lok Sabha that the highway’s completion would significantly reduce travel time between the two cities to only two hours.
During the session, Mr. Gadkari also discussed the challenges faced by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in constructing highways in Tamil Nadu. He expressed his willingness to engage with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and relevant officials to resolve the issues hindering the project’s progress. The Minister stressed the importance of obtaining necessary materials and permissions for mining from the state governments to expedite the construction process.
Regarding the NH-774 greenfield highway connecting Kollam in Kerala to Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Gadkari revealed that the Kerala government had agreed to bear 25% of the land acquisition costs instead of the previously agreed-upon 50%. The state government also expressed readiness to waive the state Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 9%. However, awaiting a formal response from Kerala, the Minister reaffirmed the need for cooperation between the central and state governments to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
When asked about the contingency plan if the state government refused to contribute its share, Mr. Gadkari stated that the Chief Minister had accepted the proposal. He further highlighted the importance of support and involvement from state governments in terms of providing aggregates and granting mining permissions.
The completion of the Chennai-Bengaluru greenfield expressway would significantly enhance connectivity and facilitate smoother and faster travel between the two major cities. The government’s efforts to address construction challenges and engage in productive dialogues with relevant stakeholders demonstrate a commitment to timely project completion. The developments indicate positive progress towards achieving the goal of improved infrastructure and enhanced connectivity within the region.
