Project Overview

The Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC), developed by the Industrial Corridor Development & Implementation Trust (NICDIT), spans roughly 560 km and connects Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

​

Upon completion, the travel time from Chennai to Bengaluru will be reduced from 5 hours to 3 hours. It covers 16 districts along the route, connecting major cities including Chennai, Sriperumbudur, Ranipet, Vellore, Chittoor, and Bengaluru.

​

It focuses on developing industrial nodes, including:

• Tumakuru Industrial Node, Karnataka: 8,484 acres (3-phase development).

• Krishnapatnam Industrial Node, Andhra Pradesh: 11,098 acres (3-phase development)

• Ponneri Industrial Node, Tamil Nadu: Focuses on Engineering and Manufacturing.

Overall, the project is designed to develop the region as a world-class hub for attracting domestic and foreign investment in industries by providing world-class infrastructure, connectivity to eastern ports, and logistics infrastructure.

Project Background

The Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor is one of India’s 11 industrial corridors with active projects under implementation under the NICDIT. It’s a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, with both government and private entities contributing to its development.

​

It was launched during a December 2011 summit, recognizing the urgency of developing Chennai-Bengaluru infrastructure. The project gained momentum when it received support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a comprehensive Integrated Master Plan.

​

Modeled after the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, CBIC was officially added to India's industrial landscape in 2016.

​

On 30 December 2020, the Government of India approved the development of two key nodes - Tumakuru (Karnataka) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Ponneri (Tamil Nadu) followed with consultant appointments for master planning.

​

On 6 February 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Tumakuru Industrial Node, marking a major milestone for the project. In early January 2025, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Krishnapatnam Node, Andhra Pradesh. This node, known as KRIS City, is a greenfield smart industrial hub with strong port linkages.

Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Current Status

As of early 2026, the corridor is advancing toward operational readiness. The Tumakuru and Krishnapatnam nodes are both under construction and are expected to deliver plug-and-play infrastructure by late 2026.

Ponneri Industrial Node is still in the planning stage, with limited visible progress compared to the other two nodes. No groundwork has yet been implemented, delaying the overall completion timeline for the project.

Four projects across all corridors are completed, and four (including CBIC elements) are nearing completion, supported by ongoing trunk infrastructure development (roads, power, water, and sewage treatment plants).

Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Route Map

Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Route

CBIC connects Chennai to Bengaluru through industrial nodes and is near ports like Chennai, Krishnapatnam, and Ennore, supporting efficient logistics.

​

Its core infrastructure comprises the Bangalore Chennai Expressway for passenger traffic and a Dedicated Freight Corridor for goods, aiming to reduce travel time to 3 hours. Furthermore, it received approval for its expansion plan to Kochi via Coimbatore.

​

It starts from Chennai, passing through Sriperumbudur, Ponnapanthangal, Ranipet, Vellore suburbs, Chittoor, Bangarupalem, Palamaner, Kuppam, Bangarpet, Hoskote, before terminating at Bengaluru.

Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Districts

Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Nodes Development

CBIC develops the Tumakuru, Krishnapatnam, and Ponneri nodes, which are managed by NICDC under Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).

Tumakuru Industrial Node, Karnataka

Tumakuru Node is located in the north, about 120 km from Bengaluru and 20 km from Tumakuru city, along National Highway 48. The node has a total planned area of approximately 8,484 acres across three phases, with a priority activation area of about 1,736 acres (Phase A).

The SPV, CBIC Tumakuru Industrial Township Limited, was incorporated in 2018, and the Government of India approved the project in December 2020.

Land transfer stands at around 1,668 acres, with matching central equity released. Environmental clearance was obtained in 2021, and the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone in February 2023. The expected cost of constructing this node is approximately INR 1,701.81 crore.

An EPC contractor was appointed in February 2023 and has started construction of roads, minor bridges, stormwater drains, utility ducts, and water treatment plants. In early 2026, official updates identified the node among projects nearing completion, with the first phase targeted for completion by the end of 2026.

Krishnapatnam Industrial Node, Andhra Pradesh

The Krishnapatnam Industrial Node, also known as KRIS City, is a greenfield project spanning 11,098 acres. It is to be developed in three phases, with a planned Phase I activation area that spans approximately 2,500 acres.

The SPV, NICDIT Krishnapatnam Industrial City Development Limited, was formed in 2018, with Government of India approval for Phase I in December 2020. The SPV has approximately 2,139 acres of land transferred, with matching equity released (around ₹534 crore). Environmental clearance was received in 2022, and the EPC contract was signed in February 2024. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone in January 2025.

The approved cost for the Krishnapatnam Node is INR 2,139 crore, and an investment of approximately INR 10,500 crore. Phase I trunk infrastructure is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. It is listed among the government's projects nearing completion in February 2026.

Ponneri Industrial Node, Tamil Nadu

The Ponneri Industrial Node is located approximately 35-36 km north of Chennai in the Tiruvallur district. It has completed detailed master planning and preliminary engineering for nearly 4,000 acres across multiple villages. A development plan was prepared under JICA support.

​

Earlier, the trunk infrastructure development cost for the Ponneri Node was approximately INR 13,314 crore in the first phase or as part of a larger INR 64,977 crore estimate for the three initial nodes combined.

​

As per the latest reports, no groundwork has started, and there is also no update on the approved project cost for the Ponneri Industrial Node. The Tamil Nadu Government requested an inspection of a substitute site for Ponneri due to land availability and implementation challenges.

Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Extension Plan

The National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) approved the extension plan for the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor on 30 August 2019. The corridor will now extend to Kochi via Coimbatore. It was approved with Dharmapuri Salem in Tamil Nadu, measuring approximately 1,773 acres, and Palakkad Industrial Area in Kerala, measuring approximately 1,710 acres, are the priority nodes for development.

​

It is the responsibility of the state government to allocate the required land for the extension. The CBIC aims to connect Kerala and western Tamil Nadu to the country's network of economic and industrial corridors. Furthermore, it will integrate with other planned developments in the region, such as the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) and the defense corridor.

Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Cost Details

The total estimated cost for the project cannot be assumed, as it is a multi-node, phased mega-infrastructure program spanning public trunk infrastructure, private investments, and extensions, with costs approved incrementally.

​

Below follows details of the cost approvals for each node.

Project Scope

The following is the project scope of the Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor:

• World-class node amenities: Reliable power, water, social infrastructure (housing, schools), and plug-and-play industrial plots.
  

• Trunk Infrastructure: It comprises the construction of roads, drainage, and utilities, with EPC tenders initiated for activation areas.
  

• Utilities: Includes reliable power, a mass water supply, stormwater drains, wastewater, effluent treatment, and solid waste management.
  

• External Connectivity: High-quality road or rail links from nodes to the main expressway, national highways, ports, and airports.
  

• Sustainability Features: Emphasis on green infrastructure, water recycling, environmental conservation, and disaster-resilient planning.

Project Timeline

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the project:

• Reduces Freight Charges: The corridor enables faster development and easier access to the Chennai Port, resulting in smoother transport and lower freight charges.
  

• Multiple job opportunities: The corridor creates jobs across sectors, including automobiles, electronics, textiles, food processing, and engineering, through self-sustaining nodes.
  

• Strengthens Trade: The proximity to Chennai, Ennore, and Krishnapatnam port boosts exports and strengthens South India's trade with East Asia.
  

• Reduce logistics costs: The corridor encourages multi-modal connectivity (Rail, Road, and airports) for smooth freight transport and reduced logistics costs.  

Conclusion

The Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor is an industrial corridor project spanning 560 km, connecting three states, namely Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. It further includes the development of industrial nodes for efficient freight movement.

​

It plays a pivotal role in the region's economic development and is the engine of manufacturing growth in the country. Its extension to Kochi via Coimbatore spotlights regional stability, creating multiple job opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including automobiles, electronics, and food processing industries.

​

Upon full completion, the corridor will position Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka as a regional hub for attracting domestic and foreign investment in industries by providing world-class infrastructure, connectivity to eastern ports, and robust logistics.

Track the Latest Infrastructure Projects in India for Business Opportunities.

Subscribe to our upcoming and ongoing infrastructure projects in India to access reliable, high-quality insights on forthcoming and completed infrastructure projects across the country.

Our user-friendly platform provides essential details, timely updates, key stakeholder contact information, and business opportunities tailored for engineering companies, industry professionals, investors, and government agencies.

Start a free demo to take your business to the next level.