Bengaluru: Uncertainty continues over the full-fledged opening of Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, with construction delays in Tamil Nadu. The 25.5-km stretch between Arakkonam and Kancheepuram is a major bottleneck, with construction work halted since May 2025 and only 53% of the work being completed in this section.Of the 260-km expressway, 105-km stretch between Hoskote in Karnataka and Byreddipalle in Andhra Pradesh are already operational. Construction on the remaining sections in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, barring the Arakkonam-Kancheepuram package, is in an advanced stage.Responding to questions raised by Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that the concessionaire of Arakkonam-Kancheepuram section stopped work in May 2025 due to financial difficulties. The response stated due to continued default by the concessionaire, NHAI issued a notice of intention to terminate the contract on Nov 10, 2025. Subsequently, the matter reached the Madras high court, which directed NHAI to maintain status quo regarding the termination of the contract. The Centre said the matter is sub-judice and the order has been reserved. Meanwhile, senior lenders have proposed exercising their right to substitute the concessionaire, and the process is under way.The Centre also stated in Tamil Nadu, delays in land acquisition, shifting of electrical utilities, delay in granting railway power blocks and other issues affected the progress of the project. The matter has been taken up with the Tamil Nadu govt.Only 105 km operationalNHAI began construction of the expressway in May 2022. However, the Centre has not provided a clear timeline for the completion and opening of the entire expressway.Karnataka section (71.7 km): Fully completed and operational, covering Bengaluru-Malur, Malur-Bangarpet and Bangarpet-Bethamangala stretchesAndhra Pradesh section:Bethamangala-Byreddypalle is operationalBangarupalem-Gudipala stretch work is completed31-km Byreddypalli-Bangarupalem package is 93% complete, with about 3km pending, targeted for completion by Oct 30, 2026Tamil Nadu sectionGudipala-Walajahpet and Walajahpet-Arakkonam stretches have achieved 98-99% progressOf 25.5km Arakkonam-Kancheepuram stretch, work on 14.47km is still pending31.7km Kancheepuram-Sriperumbudur package has reached 89.97% completion, with 3.7km pending and a revised completion target of Oct 31
