Chennai: A 25.5km stretch between Arakkonam and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu has emerged as the sole bottleneck preventing the completion of the 262km Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, where more than 90% of the corridor is ready.From the Bengaluru end, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the 96.7km stretch up to Byreddipalli in Andhra Pradesh and opened it to traffic. It has also completed 93% of the 31km Byreddipalli-Bangarupalem section, fully completed the subsequent 29km stretch up to Gudipala, finished 99% of the following nearly 24km stretch up to Walajapet and completed 98% of the 24.5km Walajapet-Arakkonam section. The remaining works in the last two stretches will be completed by Aug 31, the Union highways ministry informed Parliament.While NHAI has completed 90% of the 31km Kancheepuram-Sriperumbudur stretch, only 53% of the critical 25.5km Arakkonam-Kancheepuram package has been completed. Replying in Parliament, Union highways minister Nitin Gadkari said delays in land acquisition, shifting of electrical utilities, extra high-tension towers, granting of railway power blocks and relocation of railway switching posts had held up all project packages in Tamil Nadu.He said all issues, except the shifting of towers belonging to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Ltd (Tantransco), have been resolved. “Tantransco is yet to give line closure for shifting the EHT towers. The matter has been taken up with the state government for early resolution,” he said.The Arakkonam-Kancheepuram package has remained stalled since May 2025 after the contractor ran into financial constraints. NHAI issued a termination notice on Nov 10, 2025, but the contractor secured a stay from the high court against the termination. The court has reserved its order in the case. Gadkari said senior lenders have initiated the process of exercising their right to substitute the concessionaire. NHAI officials said they expect to complete the package within six months once they receive clearance from the court.The Centre also informed Parliament that 18 National Highway projects in Tamil Nadu are currently delayed due to land acquisition, material procurement and contractor performance issues.
