Need to expedite operationalization of Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway Phase III, spanning across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.-laid

Need to expedite operationalization of Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway Phase III, spanning across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.-laid SHRI D. M. KATHIR ANAND (VELLORE): The Phase III of the Bangalore?Chennai Expressway spans 106 km, of which 94 km falls in Tamil Nadu and 12 km in Andhra Pradesh. The project was taken up under the Hybrid Annuity Mode and divided into four packages with the total cost of Rs. 7646.85 crores. The project aims to connect Bangalore and Chennai in just three hours, significantly reducing travel time and distance. Work is currently underway in four packages of which three packages covering about 80 kms are nearing completion. As per the Hon?ble Minister?s reply, the construction of the Bangalore-Chennai Expressway Phase-III, 90 per cent of works in the three packages viz. Package-I-(Gudipala to Walajahpet) stretch of 24.00 kms at the cost of Rs.1438.62 crores; Package-II (Walajahpet to Arakkonam) stretch of 24.50 kms at the cost of Rs.1077.40 crores; and Package-III (Arakkonam to Kancheepuram) stretch of 25.5 kms at the cost of Rs.1525.10 crores are completed. The remaining Package IV (Kanchepuram to Sriperumbudur) stretch of 31.7 kms at the cost of Rs. 3605.73 crores face delays due to financial issues with the concessionaire. With the first two Phases being already completed, the expressway is expected to be operational by July 2026, but the revised deadline is October 2026. The Chennai?Bengaluru Expressway is very crucial for people to enable faster travel, improved logistics and significant regional economic benefits. Therefore, I urge the union Government to clear all the bottlenecks and expedite the construction of 4-lane Bangalore-Chennai Expressway Phase-III and make it operational for public without any further delay.