NHAI Moves to Terminate Delayed Arakkonam–Kancheepuram Section of Bengaluru Chennai Expressway

The National Highways Authority of India has initiated steps to terminate the contract for the Arakkonam–Kancheepuram stretch of the Bengaluru Chennai Expressway following prolonged delays in execution. The 26 kilometre four lane section in Tamil Nadu has seen work remain suspended since May, prompting NHAI to issue a notice of intent to terminate the concessionaire’s agreement.

Official sources said only about 54 percent of the work on the stretch has been completed so far, despite the project carrying an estimated cost of around Rs 1,525 crore. Of this, nearly Rs 767 crore has already been spent. The lack of progress on this key link has emerged as a major bottleneck for the overall expressway corridor, which is expected to significantly cut travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai once operational.

The stalled section contrasts sharply with progress made elsewhere along the corridor. The Gudipala–Walajah stretch has achieved close to 92 percent completion, while the Walajahpet–Arakkonam section is around 93 percent complete. Both segments are targeted for completion by January. Meanwhile, the Kancheepuram–Sriperumbudur stretch has reached approximately 83 percent completion and is scheduled to be finished by April 2026.

Sources indicated that the contractor had earlier approached the Madras High Court citing a rise in project costs due to higher fly ash prices. However, NHAI officials maintained that the concession agreement does not include provisions related to fly ash procurement or pricing, stating that sourcing construction materials remains the contractor’s responsibility.

Following the issuance of the termination notice on November 2 by NHAI’s Kancheepuram Project Implementation Unit, discussions were held with the contractor. Officials said the concessionaire has agreed to resume work shortly, failing which the contract will be formally terminated.

The 260 kilometre Bengaluru Chennai Expressway was originally scheduled for completion by December this year, but delays in shifting high tension power lines led to an extension till June next year. Further setbacks could now push the tentative deadline to August 2026.

Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Bengaluru to nearly three hours, offering a major boost to regional connectivity and economic activity across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.