Jaffer sadiq at 15:45, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T15:45:07Z

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-09-26T16:13:45Z

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{{Short description|Indian expressway connecting Surat and Chennai}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
{{infobox road
| header_type = UC
| country = IND
| name = Surat–Chennai Expressway
| alternate_name =
| map =
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes =
| maint = [[National Highways Authority of India]] (NHAI)
| length_km = 1271
| established = December 2026 (expected)<ref>{{cite web|title=Surat – Chennai Expressway – Information & Status|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/nhai-surat-chennai-expressway-route-map-status-update-tenders/|work=The Metro Rail Guy|access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref>
| known_for =
| direction_a = North
| direction_b = South
| terminus_a = [[Surat]], Gujarat
| junction =
| terminus_b = [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu
| states = [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]
| cities = [[Surat]], [[Nashik]], [[Ahmednagar]], [[Barshi]], [[Solapur]], [[Akkalkot]], [[Kalaburagi]], [[Mahabubnagar]], [[Kurnool]], [[Kadapa]], [[Tirupati]] and [[Chennai]]
| photo =
| photo_notes =
}}

'''Surat–Chennai Expressway''' is an under-construction, {{cvt|1,271|km}} long, 6-lanes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Surat – Chennai Expressway – Information & Status|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/nhai-surat-chennai-expressway-route-map-status-update-tenders/|work=MetroRailGuy|date=25 June 2023|access-date=22 August 2023|language=en}}</ref> [[Controlled-access highway|access-controlled expressway]], which will connect the second largest city of [[Gujarat]], [[Surat]], with the capital of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Chennai]], in [[India]]. It will pass through six states: [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. It will be operated and maintained by the [[National Highways Authority of India]] (NHAI), and will reduce both travel time and distance from around 35 hours to around 18 hours, and from approximately {{cvt|1,570|km}} to {{cvt|1,271|km}}. It will be built at a cost of ₹ 45,000 crore (~US$5.5 billion), which was earlier slated at ₹ 50,000 crore. It will be the second longest expressway in India, after the [[Delhi–Mumbai Expressway]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Khurana, Jasmine|title=Surat Chennai Expressway: Key Features, Route Map, and Cost|url=https://www.magicbricks.com/blog/surat-chennai-expressway/130941.html|work=MagicBricks|date=31 January 2023|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rs. 50,000 crore Expressway to connect Surat to Chennai|url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2021/07/29/rs-50000-crore-expressway-to-connect-surat-to-chennai/|work=DeshGujarat|date=29 July 2021|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
To facilitate socio-economic development, economic growth and trade in India by ensuring faster and better transportation of goods from northern to southern India, the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (India)|Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]] (MoRTH) planned to build a highway from [[Surat]] to [[Chennai]], in 2021, which will help to improve connectivity, industrial activities and trade by creating a direct link, and develop the regions of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Telangana]] and central [[Maharashtra]], which at present lack them altogether as compared to other industrial regions in the country. This will also help to transport goods directly from the [[New Delhi|national capital]] to [[South India]] via the [[Delhi–Mumbai Expressway]] and this expressway. The ministry stated that the project will be built at a cost of ₹ 50,000 crore.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rs. 50,000 crore Expressway to connect Surat to Chennai|url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2021/07/29/rs-50000-crore-expressway-to-connect-surat-to-chennai/|work=DeshGujarat|date=29 July 2021|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref> In January 2023, the project was approved by the [[Government of India]] and included it in the [[Bharatmala Pariyojana|Bharatmala Pariyojana's Phase-II]]. It will be built at a cost of ₹ 45,000 crore (~US$5.5 billion), and the [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] for the project was laid by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] for the construction of the expressway's [[Karnataka]] to [[Akkalkot]] section, on the same month.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi lays foundation stone for Karnataka section of 6-lane Surat-Chennai Expressway|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/chennai/pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-for-karnataka-section-6-lane-surat-chennai-expressway-article-97143601|work=Times Now|date=19 January 2023|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref> The expressway is expected to be completed by December 2026.

==Route==
The expressway will start from [[Surat]] in [[Gujarat]], pass through six states, districts and their states, and terminate at [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]].

===Gujarat===
*[[Surat]], [[Surat district]] (starting point)
*[[Navsari district]]
*[[Valsad district]]

===Maharashtra===
*[[Nashik]], [[Nashik district]]
*[[Ahmednagar]], [[Ahmednagar district]]
*[[Barshi]], [[Solapur]] and [[Akkalkot]], [[Solapur district]]

===Karnataka===
*[[Kalaburagi]], [[Kalaburagi district]]
*[[Yadgir district]]
*[[Raichur district]]

===Telangana===
*[[Mahabubnagar district]]

===Andhra Pradesh===
*[[Kurnool]], [[Kurnool district]]
*[[Kadapa]], [[Kadapa district]]
*[[Tirupati]], [[Chittoor district]]

===Tamil Nadu===
*[[Tiruvallur district]]
*[[Chennai]], [[Chennai district]] (terminating point)

==Construction==
The expressway has been divided into two sections based on the region's topography–[[Greenfield land|Greenfield]] and [[Brownfield land|Brownfield]], as well as economic corridors. The expressway will be built using the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) of construction. The two sections are described in the following:<ref>{{cite web|title=Surat-Solapur Economic Corridor – Information & Status Update|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/nhai-surat-solapur-economic-corridor-route-map-status-update/|work=The Metro Rail Guy|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

===Surat–Solapur Economic Corridor===
The '''Surat–Nashik–Ahmednagar–Solapur Economic Corridor''' is the first part and the northern section of the expressway, which will be fully greenfield, six-lane and [[Controlled-access highway|access-controlled]]. The alignment of this part lies mostly on the existing [[National Highway 150 (India)|National Highway 150C]]. It will pass through two states–[[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]] start from [[Surat]] in Gujarat, as the expressway's starting point, and will cover the cities of [[Nashik]], [[Ahmednagar]] and [[Solapur]], until the Maharashtra-Karnataka border. It will be {{cvt|513|km}} in length, out of which the Surat–Ahmednagar section will cover {{cvt|288|km}} and the Ahmednagar–Solapur–[[Akkalkot]] until the Maharashtra-Karnataka border section will cover {{cvt|225|km}}. This section's [[Project plan|Detailed Project Report]] (DPR) has been completed by the [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]-based [[joint venture]] firm, Aarvee Associates–Nag Infrastructure Engineers and Consultant JV. This section will be built at a cost of ₹ 30,000 crore. Currently, this section is under bidding, design preparation and land acquisition. It has been divided into 14 packages, which are described in the following table:<ref>{{cite web|title=Surat-Solapur Economic Corridor – Information & Status Update|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/nhai-surat-solapur-economic-corridor-route-map-status-update/|work=The Metro Rail Guy|access-date=24 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Packages
!Chainages{{efn|Distances from the origin of the expressway, i.e., [[Surat]].}}
!Contractor
!Status
|-
|'''Package-1'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-2'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-3'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-4'''
|Ambegaon (107.000 km) to Chehedi Khurd (146.000 km), [[Nashik district]]
|TBA
|Bidding process underway
|-
|'''Package-5'''
|Chehedi Khurdh (146.000 km) to Kahandalwadi (190.560 km), [[Nashik district]]
|TBA
|Bidding process underway
|-
|'''Package-6'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-7'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-8'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-9'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-10'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-11'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-12'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-13'''
|TBD
|TBD
|Pending notice
|-
|'''Package-14'''
|Hasapur ([[Solapur district]])(512.000 km) to Badadal (Maharashtra-Karnataka border) (548.400 km)
|G. R. Infraprojects Ltd.
|Land acquisition underway
|}

===Solapur-Chennai Economic Corridor===
The '''Solapur–Kurnool–Chennai Economic Corridor''' is the second part and the southern section of the expressway, which will be a mix of greenfield and brownfield sections, six/four-lane{{efn|The second half of [[Andhra Pradesh]] until [[Chennai]] will have four lanes as part of the expressway, by widening some existing two-lane highways.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rs. 50,000 crore Expressway to connect Surat to Chennai|url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2021/07/29/rs-50000-crore-expressway-to-connect-surat-to-chennai/|work=DeshGujarat|date=29 July 2021|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>}} and [[Controlled-access highway|access-controlled]]. The alignment of this part also lies mostly on the existing [[National Highway 150 (India)|National Highway 150C]] (NH-150C). It will pass through five states–[[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]. It will be {{cvt|707|km}} in length, out of which the greenfield section from [[Akkalkot]] to [[Mahabubnagar]] will cover {{cvt|230|km}}, while the remaining {{cvt|477|km}} from Mahabubnagar to [[Chennai]], where it will terminate, will be the brownfield section. This section's [[Project plan|Detailed Project Report]] (DPR) is underway, and will be built at a cost of ₹ 15,000 crore. Currently, this entire section is under bidding, DPR preparation and land acquisition, except the Karnataka section, for which the construction has been started on the Akkalkot–[[Yadgir]] section, since January 2023, into two sections (or packages), one with a length of {{cvt|71|km}}, which is being built by PNC Infratech, and another with a length of {{cvt|65.5|km}}, which is being built by [[Dilip Buildcon|Dilip Buildcon Limited]]. Due to this, these two sections of the expressway will be completed one year before the scheduled deadline of December 2026, i.e., in December 2025.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi lays foundation stone for Karnataka section of 6-lane Surat-Chennai Expressway|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/chennai/pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-for-karnataka-section-6-lane-surat-chennai-expressway-article-97143601|work=Times Now|date=19 January 2023|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref> It has been divided into 8 packages, which are described in the following table:<ref>{{cite web|title=Solapur-Chennai Economic Corridor – Information & Status|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/nhai-solapur-chennai-economic-corridor-route-map-status-update/|work=The Metro Rail Guy|access-date=12 April 2023}}</ref>

====Maharashtra====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Packages
!Chainages{{efn|Distances from the starting point of the second half of the expressway, i.e., [[Akkalkot]].}}
!Contractor
!Status
|-
|'''Package-1'''
|Akkalkot to Maharashtra-Karnataka Border at Badadal (0.000 km to 26.000 km)
|TBD
|Pending notice
|}

====Karnataka====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Packages
!Chainages
!Contractor
!Status
|-
|'''Package-1'''
|Maharashtra-Karnataka Border at Badadal to Maradgi, Andola, ([[Kalaburagi district]]) (26.000 km to 97.000 km)
|PNC Infratech Pvt. Ltd.
|Under construction
|-
|'''Package-2'''
|Maradgi, Andola to Baswantpur, [[Raichur district]] (97.000 to km 162.500 km)
|[[Dilip Buildcon|Dilip Buildcon Ltd.]]
|Under construction
|-
|'''Package-3'''
|Baswantpur to Singnodi (162.500 km to 203.100 km), Raichur district
|Monte Carlo Ltd.
|Land acquisition underway
|}

====Telangana====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Packages
!Chainages
!Contractor
!Status
|-
|'''Package-1'''
|Karnataka-Telangana border at Raichur-Gadwal road to Julekal ([[Mahabubnagar district]]) (202.900 km to 242.200 km)
|Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL)
|Land acquisition underway
|-
|'''Package-2'''
|Julekal to [[Kurnool]], terminating on [[National Highway 40 (India)|National Highway 40]] (NH-40) (242.200 km to 280.400 km)
||Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (MEIL)
|Land acquisition underway
|}

====Andhra Pradesh====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Packages
!Chainages
!Contractor
!Status
|-
|'''Package-1'''
|4-laning of [[National Highway 716 (India)|NH-716]] from [[Kadapa]] to Chinna Orampadu (from 260.652 km to 196.125 km of NH-716)
|Laxmi Infrastructure Limited
|Land acquisition underway
|-
|'''Package-2'''
|4-laning of [[National Highway 716 (India)|NH-716]] from Chinna Orampadu (designed: 64.200 km /existing: 196.125 km of NH-716) to [[Renigunta]] on [[National Highway 565 (India)|NH-565]] near [[Tirupati International Airport|Tirupati Airport]] (designed: 121.935 km/existing: 137.000 km of NH-565)
|Laxmi Infrastructure Limited
|Land acquisition underway
|}

The bidding process for the remaining stretch until Chennai is underway, as of February 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Solapur-Chennai Economic Corridor – Information & Status|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/nhai-solapur-chennai-economic-corridor-route-map-status-update/|work=The Metro Rail Guy|access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref>

==Benefits==
The expressway will benefit the entire country, as follows:<ref>{{cite web|author1=Khurana, Jasmine|title=Surat Chennai Expressway: Key Features, Route Map, and Cost|url=https://www.magicbricks.com/blog/surat-chennai-expressway/130941.html|work=MagicBricks|date=31 January 2023|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi lays foundation stone for Karnataka section of 6-lane Surat-Chennai Expressway|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/chennai/pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-for-karnataka-section-6-lane-surat-chennai-expressway-article-97143601|work=Times Now|date=19 January 2023|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>
*'''Trade:''' As the expressway will connect North and South India, it will result in a high increase in transportation of goods and people, thus resulting in growth in exports, reducing dependency on imports, as well as industrial activities and accelerating economic development.
*'''Tourism:''' It will facilitate tourism by promoting it in western parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, central Maharashtra and along the [[Western Ghats]], well known for its environment, thus resulting in the development of local economies.
*'''Connectivity:''' The expressway will create a direct connection between North and South India, resulting in faster, safer and better commute, by avoiding the existing congested routes via [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], [[Pune]] and [[Mumbai]], as well as reducing travel time and distance considerably, from around 35 hours to around 28 hours, and from approx. 1,570 km to 1,271 km.
*'''Protection of the environment:''' To ensure the protection of green cover, trees and plants will be planted along and between the route of the expressway.
*'''Employment:''' Due to increase in industrial activities along the expressway's route, various agricultural and industrial initiatives will help the states' as well as the nation economy and growth. The establishment of these numerous centres will result in multiple job possibilities for thousands of people living in both the states, and will result in immense socio-economic development.

==Environmental concerns==
In July 2022, in a meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (India)|Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change]] (MoEFCC), the EAC raised concerns on the alignment of the northern part of the expressway from [[Surat]] to [[Ahmednagar]], through the [[Western Ghats]] region, which is ecologically sensitive, and the project could result in a serious harm to the region's environment due to deforestation and soil erosion, as well as pollution. So, the EAC recommended the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]] (MoRTH) to change the expressway's alignment by avoiding the Ghats section. However, the MoRTH and the [[National Highways Authority of India]] (NHAI) gave an appeal to the EAC to negotiate the issue and requested to give way to the project, as the design preparation, packages and their bidding process and the [[Project plan|Detailed Project Report]] (DPR) of the entire northern section of the expressway, including the Ghats section, are underway, and if changed the alignment, it may reduce the impact and benefits of the expressway on the places through which it will pass. The NHAI said that the construction procedure will be using [https://www.british-assessment.co.uk/insights/what-is-sustainable-construction-and-why-is-it-important/#:~:text=Sustainable%20construction%20methods%20include%3A%201%20using%20renewable%20and,natural%20habitats%20during%20and%20after%20the%20construction%20phase. modern and sustainable methods] in that section to minimize any environmental damage, as much as possible.<ref>{{cite news|title=Surat-Chennai economic corridor runs into green hurdle|url=https://www.constructionworld.in/transport-infrastructure/highways-and-roads-infrastructure/surat-chennai-economic-corridor-runs-into-green-hurdle/36057|work=Construction World|date=24 August 2022|access-date=13 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

==Status updates==
*'''March 2021:''' The plan of the expressway was announced by the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (India)|Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]] to the [[Government of India]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rs. 50,000 crore Expressway to connect Surat to Chennai|url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2021/07/29/rs-50000-crore-expressway-to-connect-surat-to-chennai/|work=DeshGujarat|date=29 July 2021|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>
*'''February 2022:''' 14 bidders participated for the Package 2 section of [[Telangana]].<ref>{{cite news|title=14 Bidders for Surat – Chennai Expressway’s Package 2 in Telangana|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/2022/02/12/14-bidders-for-surat-chennai-expressways-package-2-in-telangana/|work=The Metro Rail Guy|date=12 February 2022|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>
*'''January 2023:''' The [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] for the expressway was laid by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]], [[Narendra Modi]], and construction started on the [[Akkalkot]]–[[Yadgir]] section of the project, in the state of [[Karnataka]]. This section, divided into two sub-sections, will be completed one year before the deadline of December 2026, i.e., in December 2025.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Modi lays foundation stone for Karnataka section of 6-lane Surat-Chennai Expressway|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/chennai/pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-for-karnataka-section-6-lane-surat-chennai-expressway-article-97143601|work=Times Now|date=19 January 2023|access-date=12 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Expressways of India]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.british-assessment.co.uk/insights/what-is-sustainable-construction-and-why-is-it-important/#:~:text=Sustainable%20construction%20methods%20include%3A%201%20using%20renewable%20and,natural%20habitats%20during%20and%20after%20the%20construction%20phase The definition and importance of Sustainable Construction]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Surat - Chennai Expressway}}

[[Category:Expressways in India]]
[[Category:Transport in Surat]]
[[Category:Transport in Chennai]]
[[Category:Proposed expressways in India]]
[[Category:Expressways in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Expressways in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Tamil Nadu]]

Surat–Chennai Expressway - Revision history

Jaffer sadiq at 15:45, 25 February 2026

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article