Work on the four-lane, access-controlled Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway in Tamil Nadu is nearing completion, except for a single stalled stretch between Arakkonam and Kancheepuram, which has now emerged as the sole bottleneck delaying commissioning of the entire corridor.

According to officials from the National Highways Authority of India, all sections except the Arakkonam–Kancheepuram package are expected to be ready by June or July 2026.

Progress Across Tamil Nadu Sections

The 105.75-km Tamil Nadu portion of the expressway is divided into four packages:

• Gudipala–Walajahpet (24 km): 23.85 km completed
• Walajahpet–Arakkonam (24.5 km): 20.35 km completed
  • Only pending work: a rail overbridge
  • A railway-owned building obstructing alignment was recently demolished
• Arakkonam-Kancheepuram (25.5 km): Only 11 km completed
• Kancheepuram-Sriperumbudur (31.7 km): 25.25 km completed

NHAI sources said that with the recent clearance of railway land near Walajahpet-Arakkonam, work on that stretch is expected to move swiftly.

Single Package Delays Entire 262-km Project

While 71 km in Karnataka has already been commissioned and all Andhra Pradesh packages, cutting through forest and hilly terrain, are in advanced stages, the 25-km Arakkonam-Kancheepuram stretch in Tamil Nadu remains severely delayed.

An NHAI official confirmed that the authority has issued an intention to terminate the contractor for the Arakkonam-Kancheepuram package, citing abnormally slow execution.

However, the contractor challenged the notice in court. The High Court subsequently directed NHAI to provide the firm with one final opportunity to explain its position in person. Sources indicated that even this hearing has not yet taken place.

What’s really delaying the Chennai–Bengaluru Expressway (262 km, ₹18,000 cr)?

• 71 km in Karnataka commissioned long ago
• All Andhra Pradesh packages (and they cut through forests & hilly terrain) nearing completion
• Entire corridor largely ready for June–July… pic.twitter.com/xqrdklXlDM

— Prasanna Viswanathan (@prasannavishy) January 12, 2026

A retired NHAI official criticised the delay, stating that the contractor responsible for stalling the corridor should not be granted further extensions. He noted that the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh sections, despite more challenging terrain, have progressed faster.

Conflicting Claims Over Responsibility

Over the past several months, multiple and conflicting explanations have emerged for the delay:

• NHAI alleges poor contractor performance
• The contractor reportedly claims delays in power and utility shifting by Tamil Nadu authorities
• The contractor has also cited non-fulfilment of fly ash supply commitments by the State, affecting project viability

With flatter terrain and minimal environmental hurdles, the continued delay of this stretch has raised questions over administrative coordination rather than engineering complexity.

Trumpet Interchange At Sriperumbudur Progressing

Meanwhile, work on a ₹122.03-crore trumpet interchange at Sriperumbudur is progressing steadily. The 1.089-km structure will provide six directional arms, connecting traffic from Vellore, Kancheepuram, and Chennai to the expressway.

Construction began in August 2024, and around 25% of the work has been completed, with 198 of 221 girders already precast. The interchange is expected to be completed later this year.

Why This Matters

Once operational, the Chennai–Bengaluru Expressway is expected to reduce travel time to around 2 hours and 15 minutes, significantly easing congestion on the existing highway.

With most of the 262-km, ₹18,000-crore project nearly ready, the continued delay of a single 25-km stretch has prompted industry observers to question whether the problem lies not in construction—but in governance and execution oversight.

As things stand, the commissioning of one of South India’s most critical infrastructure corridors hinges entirely on resolving this lone stalled package in Tamil Nadu.

Source: The Hindu

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