Chennai: The long-pending six-laning of the Sriperumbudur–Karaipettai section of NH-48, a critical part of the Chennai–Bengaluru Expressway corridor, is steadily progressing, with full completion now scheduled for October 2026, according to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The 34-km stretch was originally undertaken in 2012 under the Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT–Toll) model as part of the Poonamallee–Walajahpet six-laning project. However, following defaults by the concessionaire, the agreement was terminated in 2016, and the remaining works were restructured into three separate packages.
Of the total length, 17.2 km has already been completed. The balance 16.8 km was awarded through a fresh bidding process in November 2024 at a cost of ₹341.50 crore under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. Construction began in January 2025, and around 20% physical progress has been achieved so far.
Earlier delays were primarily due to the non-availability of pond ash and fly ash from thermal power plants, which are essential for embankment works near vehicular and pedestrian underpasses, flyovers, and grade separators. These issues have now been addressed.
Meanwhile, Phase III of the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway, covering 106 km (94 km in Tamil Nadu and 12 km in Andhra Pradesh), is being implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) across four packages. Work is progressing on three packages spanning 80.2 km, with nearly 90% completion, and is expected to finish by July 2026. Construction on the remaining 25.5 km package has been stalled since May 2025 due to financial issues faced by the concessionaire; the process of substitution is currently underway.
To ensure safety and uninterrupted mobility, the existing highway is being maintained in traffic-worthy condition. Temporary diversions and service roads are in use where structural works are ongoing, and fresh overlays have been laid on service roads to ease congestion.
Importantly, the project integrates vehicular underpasses (VUPs), pedestrian underpasses (PUPs), flyovers, and grade separators at major junctions and accident-prone black spots, significantly enhancing road safety along the corridor.
This update was shared by Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, reaffirming the government’s commitment to completing one of India’s most strategic intercity expressway links