The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway has crossed another milestone with the opening of a new 25-km stretch in Andhra Pradesh, allowing motorists to travel on nearly 100 km of the greenfield corridor. The newly operational Bethamangala-Baireddypalle section is the first portion of the expressway to open in Andhra Pradesh and extends the operational network beyond the 71-km Karnataka stretch inaugurated earlier this year.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) expects the entire 262-km access-controlled expressway connecting Bengaluru and Chennai to be completed by the end of December 2026, subject to the completion of pending works in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, accrding to TOI.
Operational stretch expands as construction progresses
The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway is being developed in phases across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to improve connectivity between two of southern India’s largest economic hubs.
In Andhra Pradesh, the 85-km section has been divided into three construction packages: Bethamangala-Baireddypalle (25 km), Baireddypalle-Bangarupalem (31 km) and Bangarupalem-Gudipala (29 km). NHAI official told TOI, two of these packages have largely been completed, while work continues on the remaining stretch.
According to TOI, The 25-km Bethamangala-Baireddypalle stretch has now been opened to traffic Motorists. Work on the adjacent Baireddypalle-Bangarupalem section is largely complete, with around 11 km still pending because of forest clearance issues. The remaining work primarily involves constructing wildlife underpasses. The official added that the Bangarupalem-Gudipala package was completed more than a year ago and expressed confidence that the entire 262-km Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, including the Tamil Nadu stretch, would be operational by the end of December 2026.
The newly opened section is already helping travellers headed towards Chittoor, Tirupati and Chennai by allowing them to exit the expressway and connect with existing national highways through district roads, according to TOI.
New toll structure comes into effect
Along with the opening of the Andhra Pradesh stretch, NHAI has implemented a revised toll structure effective June 25 for vehicles using the operational section between Hoskote and Baireddypalle.
Under the new rates, cars, jeeps and vans will pay Rs 195 for a one-way trip and Rs 290 for a return journey. A monthly pass covering 50 single journeys has been priced at Rs 6,465. Light commercial vehicles and minibuses will pay Rs 315 one way, while buses and trucks will be charged Rs 655 for a single trip.
Finance Minister reviews progress of strategic expressway project
Earlier this month, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed the progress of the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway during an inspection of the ongoing construction works at Devanahalli under the ‘Pragati Path Yatre Darshan’ programme.
During the visit, Sitharaman assessed the pace of construction, traffic management arrangements and other infrastructure works related to the Greenfield expressway, which is being developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I to provide faster and seamless connectivity between Bengaluru and Chennai.
She said infrastructure projects such as the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway reflected the Narendra Modi-led NDA government’s focus on building high-quality transport networks that support economic growth while improving connectivity and ease of living for citizens.