New Delhi, February 24 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated on Tuesday that the travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru will be reduced to just two hours once the new expressway is commissioned by the end of this year.
The Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway is approximately 260 km long and is currently partially operational.
Speaking at the 3rd Edition of Build India Infra Awards, the minister said that the expressway from Delhi to Dehradun is ready, and one can travel within two hours.
"By the end of this year, the Chennai-Bangaluru expressway (will be operational). That is within two hours," the road transport and highways minister said.
We will reduce the distance between Delhi and Chennai by 320 km, and the most important thing is that we want to build eco-friendly roads, he said, adding that there is huge potential for tunnel construction in the country.
He also said that a new experiment for hydrogen fuel filling stations is being undertaken on ten routes.
The filling station is very important, and there are areas where we need more research, development, and collaboration with international companies, he added.
The minister also said that strict action will be taken against contractors who commit fraud.
He also stressed the need for developing strategic infrastructure, especially roads connecting with neighboring countries.
The government is formulating a policy where states will be helped to construct national highway standard roads, he added.