Here we will explore the exciting development of the Surat-Chennai Expressway. This is a major infrastructure project in India. This expressway will boost connectivity between Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Let’s dive in and learn more about this ambitious project. Surat Chennai Expressway will be the second longest expressway in India, after the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway.
Surat Chennai Expressway Overview
- Length: 1271 km
- Cost: Rs. 45000 crores
- Lanes: 4/6 (Expandable)
- Starting Point: Surat
- Ending Point: Chennai
- Completion Year: Dec 2025
About Surat Chennai Expressway
The Surat-Chennai Expressway is a greenfield expressway project under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It will be an access-controlled expressway, designed to provide seamless and uninterrupted travel for commuters. At 1271 kilometers, it will be the second-longest expressway in India after the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which has a length of 1350 kilometers.
The Surat–Chennai Expressway, which is under construction, will connect Surat, the second largest city in Gujarat, to Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in India. The expressway is 1,271 km (790 mi) long and has 4/6 lanes. It will pass through six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will operate and maintain it. It will reduce travel time and distance from about 35 hours to about 18 hours and from about 1,570 km (980 mi) to about 1,271 km (790 mi). It is being built at a cost of ₹45,000 crore.
Surat Chennai Expressway Route
The expressway will pass through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. The Chennai Surat Expressway will cross the major cities of Tirupati, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Ahmednagar and Nashik.
The project connects two partially access-controlled economic corridors: Solapur to Surat and Surat to Chennai. Chennai Surat Expressway constitutes two different types of greenfield and brownfield projects.
The stretch between Surat and Ahmednagar passing through Nashik and the stretch from Akkalkot to Kurnool, which connects Maharashtra to Karnataka to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, will be the greenfield part of the expressway.
Surat Chennai Expressway Route Map
Surat Chennai Expressway Progress
The Akkalkot-Yadgir section of the project, being built in the state of Karnataka, was laid the foundation stone by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2023. This section, divided into two parts, will be completed in December 2025, a year ahead of the December 2026 deadline.
Surat Chennai Expressway Connectivity
The Surat-Chennai Expressway will boost connectivity between western and southern India, benefiting multiple states along its route. Let’s explore the key connectivity and benefits of this project:
1. Surat Solapur Economic Corridor
The first section of the Surat Chennai Expressway will be the Surat-Solapur Economic Corridor, spanning 564 kilometers. This corridor will connect Gujarat and Maharashtra, passing through Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kalaburagi, and Raichur. It will significantly improve connectivity and boost economic development in these regions.
2. Solapur Chennai Economic Corridor
The second section of the expressway will be the Solapur-Chennai Economic Corridor, stretching 707 kilometers. This corridor will connect Solapur in Maharashtra to Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It will facilitate efficient transportation between the two states, boost economic growth and trade.
Greenfield and Brownfield Projects
The Surat-Chennai Expressway consists of both greenfield and brownfield projects. The greenfield sections are entirely new stretches of highway, while the brownfield sections involve the upgrade and expansion of existing highways. Let’s take a closer look at these sections:
1. Greenfield Projects
The greenfield projects include the Surat-Solapur Economic Corridor and the Kalaburagi-Raichur section of the Solapur-Chennai Economic Corridor. These sections will be constructed from scratch to ensure optimal design and connectivity. The Surat-Solapur Economic Corridor spans 290.7 kilometers, while the Kalaburagi-Raichur section covers 280.1 kilometers.
2. Brownfield Projects
The brownfield projects involve the upgrade and expansion of existing highways. This includes certain sections of the expressway in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The total length of these brownfield sections is yet to be finalized but is expected to significantly contribute to the overall length of the expressway.
Benefits of Expressway
- The new highway will connect North and South India faster and safely. This will reduce travel time and distance and avoid congested roads in Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai and Hyderabad. This route will reduce the travel time from 35 hours and 1,570 km to 28 hours and 1,271 km.
- The construction of expressways connecting North and South India will greatly improve transportation of goods and people. This will increase exports and reduce import dependence. This will also boost economic development and industrial activities.
- Trees will be planted along the expressway to save the environment.
- Promoting tourism in Western Andhra Pradesh, Central Maharashtra, Karnataka and Western Ghats will boost local economies.
- The expressway will boost industrial activities to generate employment, boost agricultural and industrial initiatives and boost socio-economic development.
Current Status and Future Plans
The Surat-Chennai Expressway is currently under construction, with various sections at different stages of development. The foundation stone for the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 2, 2021. The first section, from Kalaburagi to Andola Village, spans 70.1 kilometers and is being constructed by PNC Infratech. The second section, from Yadgir to Baswantpur Village, covers 65.5 kilometers and is being built by Dilip Buildcon. The remaining 40.5 kilometers of the second section will be constructed in the near future.
Further sections of the expressway are planned in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Once completed, the expressway will provide seamless connectivity between Chennai Port and various regions in these states. It will also facilitate better connectivity with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, the Vijayawada-Bengaluru Expressway, and the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway.
Conclusion
The Surat-Chennai Expressway is a visionary project that aims to enhance connectivity and boost economic development in western and southern India. With its greenfield and brownfield projects, it will provide a seamless travel experience for commuters and open up new opportunities for trade and commerce. Once completed, this expressway will significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity between major cities, benefiting multiple states along its route.
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