The fresh EPC tender covers the stretch between Km 204.500 near Arakkonam and Km 230 in Kancheepuram district. The successful contractor will have 18 months to complete the remaining works, followed by a five-year maintenance period.

The development assumes significance as the rest of the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway is either complete or nearing completion. The Arakkonam-Kancheepuram section, however, had achieved only 53% physical progress, with 11.03 km completed, when the concessionaire stopped work in May 2025 citing financial constraints.

NHAI subsequently issued a notice of intention to terminate the contract in November 2025. The matter reached the Madras high court, which directed NHAI in January 2026 to maintain status quo on termination. However, the case was disposed of on August 20 stating that the concessionaire DB Jain was eligible for fly ash free of cost and transportation. The court partly allowed the Bangalore-Chennai Expressway appeal and declared the project eligible for free fly ash and transportation. Its claim for reimbursement, including the Rs 180.17 crore claimed by the concessionaire, was left to the Dispute Resolution Board or, if necessary, the arbitral tribunal under the concession agreement.

The 25.5-km package is not merely a road-laying exercise. The balance works include nine major bridges, one railway overbridge, two grade separators, two minor bridges, 18 vehicular and non-vehicular underpasses and 44 box culverts.