New Delhi: The Centre said work on key stretches of the Chennai–Bengaluru Expressway was progressing and targeted completion timelines had been set for different packages, with major sections expected to be ready by October 2026.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari said the six-laning of the Sriperumbudur–Karaipettai section of NH-48 formed part of the Poonamalle–Walajahpet project. The government had initially awarded the project on a build-operate-transfer toll basis in 2012. However, it terminated the concession agreement in 2016 due to defaults by the concessionaire and later split the balance work into three packages.
The minister said the Sriperumbudur–Karaipettai stretch faced delays under the EPC mode due to non-supply of pond and fly ash by thermal power plants. These materials were required for embankment works linked to vehicular underpasses, pedestrian underpasses, flyovers, and other structures.
Out of the total 34 km length, the government has completed 17.2 km. It awarded the remaining 16.8 km through a fresh bidding process at a cost of ₹341.50 crore on November 7, 2024. Work began on January 27, 2025, and the project achieved about 20 per cent physical progress so far.
Chennai–Bengaluru Expressway Phase-III nears completion
The minister said Phase-III of the Chennai–Bengaluru Expressway covered 106 km. This included 94 km in Tamil Nadu and 12 km in Andhra Pradesh. The government took up the phase under the hybrid annuity mode across four packages.
Initially, the project faced issues related to land acquisition, utility shifting, extra high tension lines, railway approvals, and forest clearances. However, the minister said authorities have resolved all these issues and none remain pending.
Work is currently underway on three packages covering 80.2 km, with physical progress of around 90 per cent. These stretches are likely to be completed by July 2026. Meanwhile, work on the remaining 25.5 km package has remained stalled since May 2025 due to financial constraints of the concessionaire. The process to substitute the concessionaire is underway.
The minister said authorities are maintaining the existing road in a traffic-worthy condition. However, construction activities have led to traffic diversions through service and diversion roads, causing inconvenience to commuters. He said the department has completed fresh overlay works on service roads to ensure smoother traffic flow.
Along with six-laning, the project includes construction of crossing structures such as vehicular underpasses, pedestrian underpasses, flyovers, and grade separators. These measures aim to improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles. The minister added that authorities have provided suitable structures at identified accident-prone black spots.
