**Executive Summary**
This report addresses delays in the completion of the Chennai-Bangalore Expressway project. It includes details on funds allocated, disbursed, and utilized, the status of environmental and land acquisition clearances, and revised timelines for operationalization. The report, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1030, was answered on February 5th, 2026. All packages are likely to be completed by July 2026, except one section that has stopped due to financial constraints, with Senior Lenders proposing to substitute the Concessionaire.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Project Status**
* Details regarding funds, project status, and revised timelines are provided in an annexure.
* The Expressway connects Chennai and Bengaluru with access control, increasing logistics efficiency and promoting economic growth.
* Currently, traffic is using the existing 4/6 lane National Highway without significant impedance to trade.
* Environmental and land acquisition issues have been resolved.
* **Revised Completion Timelines**
* All packages are likely to be completed by July 2026.
* Package-3 of Phase-3 (Arakkonam–Kancheepuram section) is delayed with work stopped since May 2025 due to the Concessionaire's financial problems.
* NHAI issued an intention to terminate the notice to the Concessionaire.
* Senior Lenders have proposed to substitute the Concessionaire as of January 20, 2026.
* **Status of Implementation**
* Phase-1: Overall, most sections in Karnataka are nearly or fully complete, with specific completion dates noted in the annexure.
* Phase-2: Significant progress in Andhra Pradesh, with work completed on several sections by May 2025.
* Phase-3: Delays reported in specific sections in Tamil Nadu due to reasons such as shifting EHT lines, land acquisition challenges, and contractor resource limitations.
**Impact Analysis**
**Concessionaire**
* **Impact**
* The Concessionaire for Package-3 of Phase-3 (Arakkonam–Kancheepuram section) is facing potential termination due to financial constraints, leading to work stoppage since May 2025.
* **Action Required**
* Cooperate with Senior Lenders regarding the proposed substitution.
**Senior Lenders**
* **Impact**
* The Senior Lenders are affected by the potential delays and financial issues of the Concessionaire.
* **Action Required**
* Proceed with the proposed substitution of the Concessionaire via letter dated 20.01.2026.
**National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)**
* **Impact**
* NHAI is responsible for overseeing the project and managing the delays.
* **Action Required**
* Continue monitoring the project and managing the substitution of the Concessionaire for Package-3 of Phase-3, after having issued the Intention to Terminate Notice.
**Citizens/Commuters**
* **Impact**
* The citizens/commuters are impacted by the delay of the construction as the Expressway is not being fully utilised
* **Action Required**
* There is no immediate action required from them
Key Entities Referenced
Chennai-Bangalore Expressway: The primary subject of the parliamentary question, concerning delays in completion.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The concerned ministry responsible for the project and answering the question.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): The implementing agency for the expressway project.
Tamil Nadu: One of the states through which the expressway passes, with specific construction phases and issues noted.
Karnataka: One of the states through which the expressway passes, with specific construction phases and issues noted.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1030
ANSWERED ON 5TH FEBRUARY, 2026
DELAYS IN COMPLETION OF CHENNAI-BANGALORE EXPRESSWAY
1030. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the construction of the Chennai–Bangalore Expressway has been
delayed and, if so, the specific reasons for the delay in each State along the
route;
(b) the details of funds allocated, disbursed and utilized for the project so far,
State-wise and phase-wise;
(c) the projected loss of economic benefits due to the delay, including impacts
on logistics efficiency, trade and regional development;
(d) the status of environmental and land acquisition clearances for the
project, including steps taken to resolve pending issues; and
(e) the revised timeline for the Expressway’s full operationalization and the
measures being implemented to ensure timely completion?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) & (b) The details are annexed.
(c) Chennai – Bangalore Expressway would connect Chennai and Bengaluru
with access control facility. While the Expressway will lead to increased
logistic efficiency, leading to higher economic growth, the traffic is presently
plying on the 4/6 lane National Highway (NH) and trade is not being impeded.(d) All these issues have since been resolved, and no such issue is pending as
on date.
(e) All packages are likely to be completed by July 2026, except Package-3 of
Phase-3 (Arakkonam–Kancheepuram section), where work has stopped since
May 2025 due to financial constraints of the Concessionaire. Subsequent to
intention to terminate notice to the Concessionaire by National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) dated 10.11.2025 and Speaking Order dated
08.01.2026 of NHAI as per Court direction, Senior Lenders have proposed to
exercise their right to substitute the Concessionaire vide letter dated
20.01.2026. The details are annexed.ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a), (b) & (e) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1030 ANSWERED ON 05TH FEBRUARY, 2026
ASKED BY SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN REGARDING ‘DELAYS IN
COMPLETION OF CHENNAI-BANGALORE EXPRESSWAY’.
Status of implementation of Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway (NE-7) as on 31.12.2025
Revised
Physical Completed Expendit
Sl Schedul
Cost Progress Length ure as on
. Phase Length Appoint Present status / reason ed
Name Project (Rs.in as on 31. as on 31.1 31.12.20
N /State (Km) ed Date s for Delay date of
Cr.) 12.2025 2.2025 25
o. complet
(%) (Km) (Rs. Cr.)
ion
4 lane Bangalore
Phase
– Chennai Expre
-1 2480.915.09.20
1 ssway (Bangalor 27.1 99.0% 27.1 2258.6
Karna 9 21
e-Malur section
taka Project length complet
of NE-7 - Pkg -1)
ed and put to use of tra N.A.
4 lane Bangalore
Phase ffic.
-Chennai Expres
-1 1180.120.09.20
2 sway (Malur - Ba 27.1 99.8% 27.1 986.5
Karna 7 21
ngarpet section
taka
of NE-7 - Pkg-2)
4 lane Bangalore
Phase– Chennai Expre
-1 ssway (Bangarp 18.01.20 Work Completed on 31.
3 17.5 784.22 100.0% 17.5 677.9 N.A.
Karnaet- Bethamangal 22 05.2024.
taka a section of NE
-7 - Pkg -3)
Phase-1/Karnata
71.7 4445.4 71.7 3923.0
ka (Total)
Phase
4 lane Bangalore
-2
– Chennai Expre
Karna
ssway (Bethama 10.10.20 Work Completed on 31.
1 taka 25.0 1410.0 98% 25.0 1274.4 N.A.
ngala -Byreddyp 22 12.2025
& And
alli section of N
hra Pr
E-7 - Pkg -1)
adesh
4 lane Bangalore
Phase
-Chennai Expres Due to NBWL clearanc
-2
sway (Byreddyp 08.06.20 e conditions requiring 17.06.20
2 Andhr 31.0 2548.0 82% 24.5 2011.2
alli- Bangarupale 23 additional structures in 26
a Pra
m section of NE Forest stretch.
desh
-7 - Pkg-2)4 lane Bangalore
Phase
– Chennai Expre
-2
ssway (Bangaru 04.10.20 Work Completed on 09.
3 Andhr 29.0 1407.3 99% 29.0 1327.5 N.A.
palem to Gudipa 22 05.2025
a Pra
la section of NE
desh
-7 - Pkg -3)
Phase-2 / Andhra
Pradesh 85.0 5365.4 78.5 4613.1
(Total)
Phase
1) Hard rock cutting in
-3 4 lane Bangalore
close proximity of resi
Andhr- Chennai Expres
dential settlement.
a Pra sway (Gudipala- 30.05.20 28.02.20
1 24.0 1481.9 94% 23.9 1387.0 2) Required multiple ap
desh Walajahpet secti 22 26
provals from Railways f
& Ta on of NE-7 - Pkg-
or construciton of bow
mil N 1)
string girder ROB.
adu
1) Due to shifting of EH
Balance
T Lines.
4 lane Bangalore work of
2) Delay in constructio
Phase- Chennai Expres ROB is
n of ROB due to delay i
-3 sway (Walajahpe 16.07.20 expecte
2 24.5 1106.7 93% 24.3 788.1 n shifting of SSP Buildi
Tamil t - Arakonam se 22 d to be
ng belonging to Railwa
Nadu ction of NE-7 - P complet
ys.
kg-2) ed by 30
3) PCC for 23.56 Km is
.04.2026
sued w.e.f 20.01.2025.
Work stopped since Ma
y, 2025 due to financial
4 lane Bangalore constraints of the Con
Phase-Chennai Expres cessionaire. Senior Le
-3Ta sway (Arakonam 08.08.20 nders proposed to exer
3 25.5 1525.1 54% 11.0 767.5 -
mil N - Kancheepuram 22 cise their right to subst
adu section of NE- itute Concessionaire, a
7 - Pkg-3) fter NHAI issued Intent
ion to Terminate Notic
e.
1) Delay in determinati
on of land/crop compen
sation by the District A
4 lane Bangalore
dministration for erecti
Phase– Chennai Expre
on of new EHT towers.
-3 ssway (Kanchep 11.07.20 31.07.20
4 31.7 3605.7 84% 25.4 1670.0 2) Delay in procuremen
Tamil uram - Sriperum 22 26
t of Borrow earth.
Nadu budur ) section o
3) Unseasonal rainfall.
f NE-7 - Pkg -4)
4) Due to inadequate m
obilization of resource
s by the contractor.
PhaseConstruction of 1) Due to change in de
-3 Trumpet Interch 26.02.20 sign from Pile foundati31.07.20
5 1.1 162.6 26% 0.0 33.5
Tamil ange Connecting 24 on to open foundation 26
Nadu Bangalore –Chen 2) Due to inadequate mnai Expressway obilization of resource
with Maduravoy s by the contractor.
al - Walajapet Se 3) Unseasonal rainfall.
ction of NH 48 n
ear Sriperumbud
ur
Phase-3 / Tamil
106.8 7881.9 84.7 4646.0
Nadu (Total)
Grand Total (Pha 17692.
263.5 234.9 13182.1
se-1, 2 & 3) 7
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