BENGALURU: The long-pending
Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway project
is finally on track. Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon Ltd. has emerged as the lowest bidder in two packages for constructing a section of the expressway (278km).
National Highways Authority of India on February 24 opened financial bids for two packages (27km each) of Phase 1 —
Bengaluru-Malur
and Malur-Bangarpet. Dilip Buildcon Ltd. quoted Rs 1079.2 crore and Rs 1186.9 for packages 1 and 2, respectively. However, NHAI’s estimated cost was Rs 938.3 crore and Rs 1031.4 crore, so it is not clear whether the work order will be issued after negotiations or another tender floated.
On Thursday, Dilip Buildcon, Montecarlo and DP Jain & Company Infrastructure emerged as the lowest bidders for three packages located in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. All three firms quoted above NHAI’s estimated cost.
The four-lane expressway, expected to be completed in two years, is likely to reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai. The expressway from Hoskote in Karnataka to Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu will pass through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The project was delayed because of various reasons, including land acquisition and approvals from multiple agencies.
NHAI officials said the planned stretch would serve as a key logistics corridor, speeding up movement of goods and improving connectivity to Chennai port.
Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari recently said the foundation stone for the expressway will be laid within a month and construction will begin within the next three months.
Christin Mathew Philip is a Principal Correspondent with The Time...
Read MoreChristin Mathew Philip is a Principal Correspondent with The Times of India, Bengaluru. He writes on urban mobility and traffic issues. He is the winner of Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism award (2015) for his reporting on civic issues in Chennai. He worked in TOI Chennai (2011-2016) before moving to The New Indian Express, Bengaluru in 2016.
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