Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway nears completion, but final stretch delays push full launch to 2026

Final stretch in Andhra Pradesh delays full launch of Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway

The ambitious 262-kilometre Bengaluru Chennai Expressway project is inching closer to reality, with over 70 km in Karnataka already fully operational. While a majority of the highway is progressing at a steady pace, commuters hoping for uninterrupted travel between the two cities will have to wait a little longer.

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According to recent updates from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), most sections of the expressway are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. However, the final leg, the 31-km Byreddypalli-Bangarupalem stretch in Andhra Pradesh, remains a bottleneck, with just 64.5% of the work completed. This segment, forming part of Phase-II, Package-II, is likely to be ready only by June 2026, delaying the full-scale launch.

Other key stretches are showing strong progress: the Bethamangala-Byreddypalli route is at 85.9% completion and is scheduled to wrap up by December 2025. Similarly, the Kancheepuram-Sriperumbudur section stands at 78.11% progress. Tamil Nadu's Gudipala-Walajahpet and Walajahpet-Arakkonam stretches are also on track for completion by October 2025.

Karnataka has emerged as the leader in readiness. All three of its expressway packages, covering over 70 km, have already secured Provisional Certificates of Completion (PCOC) and are open for use.

When completed, the expressway is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity by cutting down travel time and improving freight movement between Bengaluru and Chennai. For now, full connectivity is still being built.

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