Motorists travelling between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh can now enjoy a faster and smoother journey after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) opened a new 25-km stretch of the Bengaluru-Chennai
Expressway between Bethamangala and Baireddypalle.
The newly commissioned section marks the first operational stretch of the expressway in Andhra Pradesh and extends the uninterrupted access-controlled corridor beyond the Karnataka border. With its opening, nearly 100 km of the high-speed expressway is now available for public use.
Usable Corridor Extends Beyond Karnataka
According to a report in Financial Express, the latest stretch complements the 71-km section between Hoskote and Bethamangala in Karnataka, which has been operational since the end of 2024.
Motorists can now drive continuously on the expressway from NG Hulkur in Karnataka to Baireddypalle in Andhra Pradesh without exiting the controlled-access highway, significantly improving cross-border connectivity.
The Andhra Pradesh portion of the project covers 85 km and has been divided into three construction packages. Two of these packages have already been completed, while work on the remaining 11-km section between Baireddypalle and Bangarupalem is continuing.
Construction of the final segment has been temporarily delayed to facilitate the completion of a dedicated wildlife underpass designed to ensure the safe movement of animals across the corridor.
According to media reports, the entire 262-km Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway is expected to be completed by early 2027.
Travel Time To Be Nearly Halved
Until the remaining sections are completed, motorists travelling beyond Baireddypalle can continue their journey using district roads connected to national highways, providing access to Chittoor, Tirupati and Chennai.
Once the full expressway becomes operational, travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai is expected to reduce from the current five to six hours to approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
The access-controlled corridor has been designed for speeds of up to 120 kmph and forms a key component of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. It is also expected to ease traffic pressure on the heavily used NH-48 while benefiting commuters, business travellers and freight operators.
Revised Toll Rates Effective From June 25
Alongside the opening of the new section, NHAI implemented revised toll charges from June 25.
For cars, jeeps and vans, the one-way toll between Hoskote and Baireddypalle has been fixed at Rs 195, while a same-day return journey costs Rs 290. Separate toll rates have also been notified for light commercial vehicles, light goods vehicles, minibuses, trucks and buses.
The toll applies only to vehicles travelling on the expressway’s main carriageway.
The newly operational corridor is supported by toll plazas at Sunderapalya, Krishnarajapura, Hedaginabele, Agrahara and Baireddypalle. Officials said the Baireddypalle toll plaza is already recording steady traffic volumes and generating nearly Rs 2.2 lakh in revenue each day.
Boost Expected For Economy And Real Estate
Apart from reducing travel time, the expressway is expected to provide a significant boost to economic activity along its route.
Demand for residential and commercial real estate has already begun increasing in towns such as Hoskote, Devanahalli and Sriperumbudur as connectivity improves.
Officials expect further appreciation in property values, higher industrial investment and greater employment opportunities across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu as additional sections of the expressway open and the project moves towards full completion.
