India, Jan. 29 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

The work of six-laning of Sriperumbudur - Karaipettai section of NH-48 was part of 6-laning project of Poonamalle-Walajahpet section of NH-48 and taken up on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)-Toll mode in 2012. Due to defaults on the part of BOT Concessionaire, the Concession Agreement was terminated in 2016, and the balance works were awarded in 3 separate packages.

The work of Sriperumbudur - Karaipettai section, taken up on EPC mode could not be completed mainly due to non-supply of Pond/Fly Ash at the site by the Thermal Power Plants as it was required for embankment of the scope of the work related to construction of approaches of crossing structures, viz. Vehicular Underpasses (VUPs), Pedestrian Underpasses (PUPs), Flyovers, etc.

Out of total 34 Km, 17.2 Km has been completed and the balance work in 16.8 Km has been awarded through fresh bidding process at a cost of Rs.341.50 Crore on 07.11.2024. The work commenced on 27.01.2025 with scheduled completion in October 2026. As on date, 20% physical progress has been achieved. Efforts are being made to complete the project as per schedule.

Phase-III of Bangalore - Chennai Expressway, involving 106 Km (94 Km in Tamil Nadu and 12 Km in Andhra Pradesh) was taken up on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) under 4 Packages.

During the initial period of the work, there were issues relating to land acquisition, shifting of utilities, especially Extra High Tension (EHT) lines/towers, railway clearances, forest clearance, etc. All these issues have since been resolved and as on date, no such issue is pending.

Out of total 4 packages, work is in progress in 3 packages (80.2 Km) with physical progress around 90% and likely to be completed by July 2026. Work in the remaining package (25.5 Km) has stopped since May 2025 due to financial constraints of the Concessionaire. Substituting the Concessionaire is under process.

The existing road is being maintained in traffic worthy condition. However, due to ongoing construction of structures, the traffic on the main carriageway is diverted through service road / diversion road causing inconvenience to the traffic. Fresh Overlay on the service road portion has already been completed for smooth movement of traffic.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.