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The expressway is being developed in ten different packages across three states. As of February 2026, about 235 km (89%) out of the total 263.2 km has been completed.
The Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway is a greenfield project, meaning it is built on an entirely new alignment through previously undeveloped land. Image: Canva
If Bengaluruans want to visit the beach, the nearest journey by road or train will take at least 7 hours to Mangaluru, Karwar or over 12 hours to Goa. But, what if a new expressway would bring down the travel time from Bengaluru to the nearest beach to just 3 hours? All this is going to happen soon.
The ambitious Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway (NE-7), designed to revolutionize transit between South India’s two largest economic hubs, is entering the final and most challenging phase of its construction. While significant parts of the corridor are already visible on the landscape, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has confirmed that the full 263 kilometer stretch is now scheduled for a wide public launch in early 2027.
The project, a cornerstone of the PM Gati Shakti initiative, aims to reduce the current travel time between the two cities from about seven hours to just 2.5 to 3 hours. However, despite rapid progress in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, technical and administrative constraints in Tamil Nadu have necessitated re-evaluation of the final completion timeline.
Current Progress: A Story of Three Kingdoms
The expressway is being developed in ten different packages across three states. As of February 2026, about 235 km (89%) out of the total 263.2 km has been completed.
- Karnataka (100% complete): The 71.7 km stretch from Hoskote to Bethamangala within Karnataka has been completely finished. Passengers are already using this section, which has significantly reduced local congestion towards Kolar and KGF area.
- Andhra Pradesh (92% complete): Spread over 85 km in Palamaner and Chittoor areas, progress here is almost at the finish line. Only a minor gap of 6.5 km remains near the border, where work has slowed down due to geological challenges.
- Tamil Nadu (80% complete): This remains the critical “missing link”. Of the 106 km in Tamil Nadu, about 85 km is paved. The bottleneck is in the last 28.6 km stretch, especially the stretch between Arakkonam and Kanchipuram.
Odds: Why 2027?
The shift from the 2024/25 deadline to early 2027 is attributed to a combination of contractor issues and environmental factors. A primary reason for the delay is the financial crisis faced by a specific concessionaire handling the Kanchipuram section. NHAI has had to initiate the process of replacing the developer to ensure full-scale resumption of work.
Additionally, the project was delayed due to hard-rock excavation and acquisition of forest clearance in the hilly areas of the Eastern Ghats. Unseasonal heavy rains in the Kanchipuram and Sriperumbudur belts in the last two seasons further affected the schedule of earthwork and concrete road construction.
Engineering and economic impact
The Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway is a greenfield project, meaning it is built on an entirely new alignment through previously undeveloped land.
- Speed ​​and scale: Designed for a maximum speed of 120 kmph, the 4-lane access-controlled road features a 90-metre right of way (ROW), allowing expansion to 8 lanes in the future without additional land acquisition.
- Industrial Backbone: This corridor will serve as the backbone for the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC), directly benefiting the automobile hubs at Hoskote and Sriperumbudur and the electronics manufacturing clusters in between.
- Key features of the infrastructure: The route consists of 17 major flyovers and 41 underpasses. A notable feature for travelers is the 30-acre “Way-Side Amenity” (WSA) being built at Ithandahalli, which will have a trauma centre, a helipad and extensive food courts.
toll update
To streamline operations, NHAI has recently revised the toll rates for the operational Karnataka section. Effective from mid-February 2026, the toll was reduced by about 15% to align with standard National Highway fee rules, providing temporary relief to commuters until a full integrated tolling system is implemented for the entire 263-kilometre stretch in 2027.
While delays can often be frustrating for passengers, the sheer scale of the Rs 17,692 crore project ensures that once it opens, it will represent a landmark shift in South Indian logistics and passenger travel.
February 24, 2026, 14:52 IST
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