The Indian government has announced plans to build a new Green Express Highway aimed at dramatically improving connectivity between North and South India. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed the project in the Rajya Sabha, calling it a “historic decision” that will strengthen the country’s highway network and reduce travel time across major economic corridors.
The proposed greenfield expressway will connect Surat in Gujarat to Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, forming part of a larger highway network linking several major cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Kanyakumari.
Distance Between Delhi and Chennai to Reduce by 320 km
One of the most significant benefits of the new corridor is that it will shorten the distance between Delhi and Chennai by about 320 kilometres. The reduced distance is expected to cut both travel time and transportation costs for passengers and freight movement.
According to Gadkari, the improved connectivity will streamline road transport across the country, particularly for vehicles traveling between northern and southern India. The corridor is expected to divert traffic from heavily congested routes that currently pass through cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur.
Delhi–Mumbai Travel Time to Drop to 12 Hours
The new expressway network will also significantly improve travel between Delhi and Mumbai. Gadkari said that once the infrastructure projects are completed, the journey between the two major cities could be reduced to around 12 hours by road.
The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway, which is already nearing completion, will play a major role in enabling faster travel. The new Surat–Kurnool green corridor will further enhance this network by linking northern highways with southern transport routes.
Boost for Logistics and Economic Growth
Experts believe the expressway will significantly improve logistics efficiency in India by allowing faster movement of goods between manufacturing hubs, ports, and major cities. Lower travel time could reduce fuel consumption, decrease freight costs, and improve supply chain reliability.
The project is also expected to ease traffic congestion on existing highways and stimulate economic growth in regions located along the corridor by attracting investments, industries, and infrastructure development.
Transforming North–South Connectivity
The new Green Express Highway is part of India’s broader strategy to expand high-speed road infrastructure across the country. By linking major economic centres from north to south, the project could transform long-distance road travel and strengthen national logistics networks.
If completed as planned, the corridor will become one of the most important highway projects in India’s infrastructure expansion drive.
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