New 335-km expressway to connect Bengaluru, Mangaluru, reduce travel time by 7-8 hours: Report

MoRTH plans high-speed expressway to connect Bengaluru and Mangaluru, reducing travel time by 7-8 hours.

Published on: Nov 12, 2024, 16:45:11 IST

By Yamini C S

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In good news for frequent travellers between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has launched plans to develop a high-speed expressway connecting the two cities, reducing travel time by 7 to 8 hours, according to a report.

The Bengaluru-Mangaluru high-speed expressway project aims to strengthen connectivity between the southern and coastal regions of Karnataka. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo/Representative image)

In July, MoRTH invited bids to select a consulting firm to draft a comprehensive project report. By November, nine firms submitted technical bids, and the ministry expects to award the contract in early 2024, the report said. The selected consultant will have 540 days to prepare the detailed project report (DPR), paving the way for construction to begin by 2028.

The expressway, planned to stretch approximately 335 km, will be developed collaboratively by the Karnataka Public Works Department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). These agencies will coordinate on the road’s alignment and land acquisition processes to ensure smooth progress, the report added.

Key details of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Expressway:

Four to six lane design: The expressway is expected to feature four to six lanes, passing through Hassan to connect the Karnataka capital to the coastal city. This multi-lane design will facilitate smooth and faster travel, reducing bottlenecks along the route.

Reduced travel time: Upon completion, the expressway could cut travel time between Bengaluru and Mangaluru by 7 to 8 hours, a significant improvement over the current journey time, which is often affected by delays.

Improved transportation network: This highway is projected to boost the transportation network across Karnataka, supporting economic activities and making it easier for residents and businesses to connect between the two cities.

Challenges with the existing route

The current Bengaluru-Mangaluru highway route faces frequent challenges, especially during monsoon seasons when landslides are common. Certain sections of the highway currently have six lanes, but unpredictable conditions and outdated infrastructure continue to cause travel delays.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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