Bengaluru: Citizens across central Karnataka are set to benefit from faster road connectivity to Bengaluru, Tirupati and Chennai, with the Centre clearing the first phase of a major highway expansion project in Tumakuru district.Sources in National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said construction of the 20.2-km, four-lane Sira–Badavanahalli section of NH-69 is expected to commence shortly. The remaining stretch up to Bairenahalli is in the final stages of approval.Somanna, Union minister of state for railways and Jal Shakti, said NHAI has completed tendering process for the first phase, paving the way for construction. The Centre is set to approve the four-laning of 32-km Badavanahalli–Bairenahalli stretch, estimated to cost around Rs 1,000 crore.Together, the two projects will create a seamless 52-km four-lane corridor between Sira, Badavanahalli and Bairenahalli at an estimated cost of Rs 1,585 crore. “I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari for sanctioning the project. It will not only benefit the people of Tumakuru but also the entire central Karnataka region by improving connectivity and boosting economic activity,” Somanna said.According to NHAI officials, the project assumes strategic importance as it effectively extends the influence of the Bengaluru–Chennai Economic corridor up to Tumakuru district. The upgraded highway will improve connectivity to the Vasanthanarasapura and Sira industrial areas, facilitate freight movement beyond Bengaluru and strengthen links to the proposed second international airport in the Bengaluru region.The corridor is also expected to improve connectivity between Central Karnataka, North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka with major industrial and manufacturing hubs in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.For ordinary commuters, however, the biggest gain will be faster access to the temple town of Tirupati. Once completed, the upgraded highway is expected to reduce the travel distance from Sira to Tirupati by nearly 60-70 km. “Commuters will be able to travel via Madhugiri, Chikkaballapur and Chintamani, bringing down the travel time to around four to five hours,” a senior NHAI engineer said. The project is also expected to provide a major logistics boost to industries in Tumakuru district. Improved road connectivity between the Vasanthanarasapura and Sira industrial areas and Chennai port is expected to reduce freight costs and improve the competitiveness of manufacturers.The Centre will bear the entire cost of both projects, including land acquisition, ensuring there is no financial burden on Karnataka govt. With tendering completed for the first phase and approvals for second phase expected soon, the highway expansion is poised to significantly improve passenger and freight connectivity across central Karnataka while integrating the region more closely with Bengaluru–Chennai economic corridor.
