July 4, 2025: Pune Highway – The ₹50,000-crore Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Expressway, a transformative infrastructure project under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, is currently awaiting final clearance from the central government. Although the detailed project report (DPR), prepared by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), received approvals from Maharashtra and Karnataka in February, construction will only commence after New Delhi gives the green light.
Supervisory officer Omkar Jagdale confirmed that land acquisition, a key step toward execution, is on hold until the Centre approves the proposal. Once cleared, the massive expressway is expected to reshape connectivity across western and southern India.
Key Features of the Project:
- Total Length: Approx. 745 km
- Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 crore
- Land Requirement: ~21,000 acres
- Maharashtra: 7,166 acres
- Karnataka: 12,355 acres
- Route: From Kanjale village near Pune, through Satara and Sangli (Maharashtra), and nine districts in Karnataka including Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Bengaluru Rural
- Lanes: 8-lane high-speed corridor
- Travel Time Reduction: From 12–14 hours to 6–7 hours
Originally planned as a six-lane road, the expressway was upgraded to eight lanes in anticipation of high future traffic demand. The corridor is poised to significantly ease the burden on the existing National Highway connecting the two metro cities.
Boost for Businesses and Logistics
Rajendra Patil, a Pune-based logistics entrepreneur, welcomed the move. “Our business is hit because of delays and traffic jams on the existing highway. The proposed greenfield expressway will be a lifeline for thousands of commuters and businesses,” he said, underscoring the project’s commercial importance.
Once operational, the expressway will not only bolster interstate commerce and regional trade but also reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions due to shorter and uninterrupted travel.
The Centre’s final approval is the last administrative hurdle before land acquisition and construction begin, marking the start of one of India’s most ambitious road infrastructure ventures.