Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway to be fully operational by June 2026

The much-anticipated Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, which will significantly improve connectivity between the two state capitals, is expected to be fully completed only by June 2026.

The much-anticipated Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway, which will significantly improve connectivity between the two state capitals, is expected to be fully completed only by June 2026. Initially, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had planned to open the entire expressway by August 2025, but the deadline has now been pushed to June 2026 owing to construction delays. According to the authority, of the total 262-km stretch, 71 km has been completed so far, while the remaining sections are still under construction.

The Karnataka portion of the expressway was completed and became informally accessible to the public in December 2024. However, the sections passing through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are still under development, officials said.

Responding to a query from Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya, Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari recently stated that the remaining portions of the expressway are scheduled to be completed by June 2026.

The ambitious ₹17,000-crore infrastructure project aims to significantly reduce travel time and fuel consumption between Bengaluru and Chennai. The expressway, which is being developed as a greenfield project, is expected to act as a key driver of economic growth along its 262-km route, stretching from Hoskote in Karnataka to Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.

This expressway will serve as an alternative to the existing route via Hosur, Krishnagiri, and Ranipet, which spans approximately 340 km and takes around six hours to traverse. Traffic congestion on the current highway has been steadily increasing, highlighting the need for a faster and more efficient route.

“Since this is a greenfield project, land acquisition has not posed significant challenges as the road primarily passes through open lands. However, relocating electricity towers along the expressway’s path required additional time and approvals from the Revenue Department,” explained an NHAI engineer involved in the project.

Meanwhile, the completed 71-km section is already being used by residents for travel to nearby villages and by those keen on taking long drives. “Many people are using this stretch for local travel, and some are exploring the new road,” said Waseem Ahmad, a cab driver from Kolar.