Surat-Chennai Expressway: Know Features, Budget, Connecting Cities And More

The country’s longest expressway is being constructed to connect the cities of Delhi and Mumbai, which is already partially accessible. The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway covers a distance of around 1350 kilometres. But do you know which is set to be the second longest expressway of the country and which cities it will connect to? The Surat-Chennai Expressway is set to be the second longest expressway in the country which is set to cover a distance of 1271 kilometres. This expressway is set to connect Chennai with Surat via the western ghats. The construction work of the new expressway is expected to be completed within the next two years. The expressway built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to have a speed limit of 120 kms per hour. The estimated cost of the construction of the expressway is around Rs 50,000 crore. Currently, the expressway is being constructed with 4 lanes, which can be expanded to a 6 lane or an 8 lane expressway in the future.

After the completion of the expressway between the city of Chennai and Surat, the travelling distance will be reduced to 1270 kilometres from 1600 kilometres. Presently, the travelling time to cover the distance is around 35 hours, which is set to be reduced to just 18 hours which is approximately half the time that is required today. The National expressway is set to pass through 6 states of the country which include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is also set to connect some important cities including Tirupati, Kadapa, Kurnool, Kalaburagi, Solapur, Ahmednagar, and Nashik.

Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chennai-Surat Expressway Project under the scheme of Bharatmala Pariyojna in October 2021. The construction work of the expressway is expected to be completed within December 2025. Following the completion of the grand project, the road is set to connect the southern part of the country directly with the western part of the country.

The upcoming corridor is expected to boost the trade in the connecting states which will surely enhance the industrial development of the place. The Surat-Chennai Expressway will also help to develop tourism in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and in few parts of Karnataka.