Nitin Gadkari Announces Rs 1,338 Crore Highway Project to Link Chennai, Bengaluru, and Vellore.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced a major infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu, confirming the government's approval of a Rs 1,338 crore project for an access-controlled highway along NH-40. Spanning 28 kilometers, the highway will connect Walajapet/Ranipet to the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother travel.

The four-lane main carriageway, with paved shoulders, will be accompanied by two-lane service roads on both sides, ensuring efficient traffic flow for both long-distance and local commuters. One of the project’s key features is the construction of a 10-kilometer bypass around Walajapet and Ranipet, aimed at reducing congestion in these towns.

Additionally, the highway will feature four major bridges and two railway over-bridges, enhancing travel safety. The new corridor will improve connectivity between Chennai, Bengaluru, Tirupati, and Vellore. Vellore, known for the prestigious Christian Medical College (CMC), will benefit from easier access for patients, visitors, and medical professionals, further boosting the region’s economic activities and accessibility for trade and tourism.

The highway will also have a positive impact on local industries, particularly in Walajapet and Ranipet, which are home to thriving leather industries and small-scale engineering units supplying components to major companies like Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). This improved infrastructure is expected to attract new investments and foster growth in these sectors.

With the inclusion of service roads to cater to local commuters and enhance long-distance travel, the Rs 1,338 crore project is set to provide long-term benefits, stimulating local industries and driving economic growth across the region.

ET