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Progress Speeds Up on Chittoor - Thatchur National Highway, Completion Expected by Year-End

Progress Speeds Up on Chittoor - Thatchur National Highway, Completion Expected by Year-End

Construction of the six-lane, access-controlled Chittoor - Thatchur National Highway, a greenfield project costing ₹3,998 crore, is progressing rapidly, with approximately 60% of the work completed. Spanning 116.100 km, the NH-716B highway is designed to facilitate south-bound traffic from Bengaluru to Tamil Nadu. The route connects the Bangalore - Chennai Expressway (BCE) at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh to the Chennai Peripheral Road in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district.

Key Benefits and Connectivity

Although initially envisioned to streamline container traffic heading to Kamarajar and Kattupalli ports while bypassing Chennai, the highway will also be advantageous for residents of North Chennai. Travelers can reach Tirupati or Bengaluru with greater ease. Those heading to Tirupati can exit at the Nagari interchange, while travelers bound for Bengaluru can merge onto the BCE at Chittoor. Furthermore, the highway’s connection to the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road offers a seamless route for those traveling southwards.

Construction and Features

The project is divided into four sections, each handled by a separate contractor. The first stretch covers 43.8 km starting from Chittoor, the second spans 17.5 km from Pallipattu, the third runs 34.66 km from Nagari, and the final 20.06 km connects Uthukottai. The highway traverses the inter-state border, passing through regions in both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

While the highway is initially six lanes wide, land acquisition has been completed to allow future expansion to 10 lanes if necessary. The project incorporates significant infrastructure, including:

  • 10 major bridges and 33 minor bridges
  • 2 rail overbridges
  • 60 vehicular underpasses
  • 8 interchanges
  • Adequate lighting for local areas along the route

Environmental Considerations

To facilitate the highway, land from reserved forests was diverted, including 14.03 hectares in Tamil Nadu from Thirumalairajupettai and Nediyam forests, and 4.54 hectares in Andhra Pradesh. This land will be used for 25 years. In response, compensatory afforestation has been undertaken by forest departments, covering 28 hectares at Konasamuthiram and Mylarwada RFs in Tamil Nadu, as well as lands in the Pulikondram forest area of Andhra Pradesh. Culverts and other measures have been implemented to meet the requirements of the Forest Department.

Greening and Amenities

As part of its green initiative, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has planted 8,000 ornamental saplings along the highway's median and begun avenue tree plantations. A total of 25,000 year-old saplings of diverse tree species will be planted.

Additionally, two way-side amenities, catering to both truckers and non-commercial vehicles, will be established near Chittoor and Uthukottai. These facilities aim to enhance the travel experience for road users.

Tolling System and Timeline

The project will implement a closed tolling system, where toll charges will be calculated based on the entry and exit points of vehicles. The foundation stone for the highway was laid in 2021, and work commenced in 2023-24. Completion is anticipated by December 2025, providing a crucial infrastructure upgrade for regional connectivity and economic growth.

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