The anticipated expressway project linking Bengaluru and Chennai has experienced further setbacks, with the expected completion date now projected to fall between December 2025 and July 2026. This information was presented in Parliament by Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday. The project, initiated in 2022 with an initial completion target of 2023, has been repeatedly postponed. According to Gadkari, only 100.7 km of the 263.4 km total length has been completed to date. The project’s estimated cost is Rs 15,188 crore, and it is now facing a delay exceeding three years. Progress varies across the states involved: In Karnataka, 71.7 km of work has been finished, with the section from Sundarapalya to Baireddipalli slated for completion by December 2025. In Andhra Pradesh, 29 km of the route has been completed. The link from Baireddipalli to Bangarupalem is expected to be finished by June 2026. In Tamil Nadu, the sections from Gudipalla to Walajahpet (24 km) and Walajahpet to Arakkonam (24.5 km) are anticipated to be finished by October 2025. The Arakkonam to Kanchipuram (25.5 km) segment is expected to be completed by March 2026, and the Kanchipuram to Sriperumbudur (31.7 km) stretch by December 2025. The delays are attributed to factors such as difficulties in land acquisition, delays in securing necessary approvals from state governments, and technical challenges. In Karnataka, land acquisition delays, inadequate compensation for affected properties, and public opposition have been significant hurdles. In Tamil Nadu, delays in obtaining permissions for technical tasks like rock cutting and blasting have contributed to the setbacks. In Andhra Pradesh, acquiring permission to commence construction in the ecologically sensitive Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary has presented challenges. Once completed, the high-speed expressway promises to reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai from the current 6-7 hours to under 4 hours, while also boosting transport, logistics and strengthening economic and social ties between Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Despite local concerns regarding the ongoing delays, the central government has emphasized that the project remains a top priority and will be completed as quickly as possible with the support of the state governments.
