**Executive Summary**
This document is the response of the Minister of Road Transport and Highways to Unstarred Question No. 1142 in the Lok Sabha, answered on February 5, 2026. The question concerned the status of the Greenfield Expressway connecting Bengaluru and Chennai, particularly delays in the Arakkonam-Kanchipuram stretch. The response addresses the reasons for the delays and the proposed action plan.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Arakkonam-Kanchipuram Stretch Delays:**
* Work on the Arakkonam-Kanchipuram stretch (25.5 km) has been stopped since May 2025.
* Only 11 km of the 25.5 km stretch has been completed.
* The primary cause for the delay is financial constraints faced by the Concessionaire.
* **Expressway Commissioning:**
* As it's a greenfield corridor project, the expressway can only be commissioned once all packages are completed. This includes the Arakkonam-Kancheepuram stretch.
* **Action Plan:**
* The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued a notice of intention to terminate the Concessionaire on November 10, 2025, and a Speaking Order on January 8, 2026, as per Court direction.
* Senior Lenders have proposed to substitute the Concessionaire (letter dated January 20, 2026).
* Following the substitution of the Concessionaire by Senior Lenders, the remaining work will be completed.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Commuters / General Public**
* **Impact:** Delays in the Arakkonam-Kanchipuram stretch impact the overall commissioning timeline of the expressway, causing traffic congestion and economic disruption in the Kanchipuram district.
* **Action Required:** Expect delays until a new Concessionaire is in place and the remaining work is completed.
**Stakeholder: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)**
* **Impact:** NHAI is responsible for overseeing the project and addressing the Concessionaire's failure to meet the project milestones.
* **Action Required:** NHAI has issued notice of intention to terminate the Concessionaire and is working towards substituting the Concessionaire in accordance with Court direction and the Senior Lenders.
**Stakeholder: Senior Lenders**
* **Impact:** The Senior Lenders have a financial stake in the project and are taking action to ensure its completion.
* **Action Required:** Substitute the Concessionaire so that the balance work can be completed.
**Stakeholder: Concessionaire**
* **Impact:** Responsible for construction, but experiencing financial constraint.
* **Action Required:** The Concessionaire will be substituted.
Key Entities Referenced
Greenfield Expressway connecting Bengaluru and Chennai: The subject of the parliamentary question, concerning delays in its construction.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The ministry responsible for the project and answering the parliamentary question.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): The authority involved in the concession and potentially terminating the contract.
Arakkonam–Kanchipuram: The specific stretch of the expressway experiencing significant delays.
Tamil Nadu: The state where the delayed Arakkonam-Kanchipuram stretch of the expressway is located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1142
ANSWERED ON 5TH FEBRUARY, 2026
GREENFIELD EXPRESSWAY CONNECTING BENGALURU AND CHENNAI
1142. SHRI SELVAM G:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that while most sections of the
four-lane access-controlled greenfield expressway connecting
Bengaluru and Chennai are nearing completion, the Arakkonam–
Kanchipuram stretch in Tamil Nadu has witnessed significant delays,
with only about 11 km completed out of 25.5 km and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether the delay in this stretch is adversely affecting the overall
commissioning timeline of the expressway and causing traffic
congestion and economic disruption in Kanchipuram district and if so,
the details thereof;
(c) the reasons for the slow progress in the Arakkonam–Kanchipuram
section including issues relating to railway overbridges, land
acquisition or inter-agency clearances; and
(d) the time-bound action plan proposed to be taken by the Union
Government to complete the remaining works and ensure full
operationalisation of the expressway at the earliest?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) In respect of Arakkonam – Kancheepuram stretch (25.5 Km),
work has stopped since May 2025 due to financial constraints of theConcessionaire. 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.
(b) Being a Greenfield Corridor Project, the Expressway can be
commissioned only on completion of all the Packages, including
Arakkonam – Kancheepuram stretch.
(c) Main reason for slow progress of Arakkonam – Kancheepuram
section is financial constraints faced by the Concessionaire. As on
date, no other issue is affecting the project.
(d) Subsequent to substitution of the Concessionaire by Senior
Lenders, the balance work shall be taken up and completed.
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