Centre clears first phase of NH-69 highway expansion in Karnataka

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The Centre has cleared the first phase of a highway expansion in Tumakuru district that will speed up road access from central Karnataka to Bengaluru, Tirupati and Chennai. Construction of the 20.2-km, four-lane Sira, Badavanahalli section of NH-69 will begin shortly, with the remaining 32-km stretch up to Bairenahalli awaiting final approval at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore. Together, the 52-km corridor will cost Rs 1,585 crore, funded entirely by the Centre, with no burden on the Karnataka government, according to Union minister V Somanna.

NHAI officials said the project extends the Bengaluru, Chennai economic corridor into Tumakuru, linking Vasanthanarasapura and Sira industrial areas to Chennai port. It will improve freight movement and connectivity to a proposed second Bengaluru airport. For commuters, the upgraded highway is expected to cut travel distance from Sira to Tirupati by 60-70 km, reducing travel time to four to five hours, a senior NHAI engineer said. Tendering for the first phase is complete, and the second phase approval is expected soon.