The ambitious ₹40,000 crore Pune Bengaluru Expressway is set to redefine intercity travel, significantly reducing the journey time between Pune and Bengaluru from 15 hours to just 7 hours.
This 700 km greenfield expressway, part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, aims to enhance connectivity between two major IT hubs, Pune and Bengaluru, and bolster economic growth in the region.The expressway will feature 55 flyovers, 22 interchanges, and two emergency airstrips, each 5 km in length, to accommodate high-speed travel and ensure safety. Designed for vehicles to travel at speeds up to 120 km/h, the expressway will be an access-controlled, six-lane asphalted corridor, expandable to eight lanes in the future. The project also includes tree plantations along both sides and a 15-meter median for potential future widening.
The expressway will pass through 12 districts—three in Maharashtra (Pune, Satara, and Sangli) and nine in Karnataka (Belagavi, Bagalkot, Gadag, Koppal, Vijayanagara, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, and Bengaluru Rural). It will commence from Varee Budruk in Pune and connect to the existing Pune-Mumbai Expressway, facilitating seamless travel between the two cities.
The expressway is expected to stimulate economic growth by improving trade and commerce between Maharashtra and Karnataka. However, the project has raised environmental concerns, with an estimated 25,000 trees to be felled during construction, predominantly in Karnataka. Authorities have stated that the expressway will be located 12 km away from the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra and will not pass through any protected areas or sanctuaries.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is overseeing the construction of the expressway. While the detailed project report (DPR) is still under preparation, the project is expected to commence shortly and is targeted for completion by 2028. Once operational, the expressway will not only reduce travel time but also enhance connectivity, thereby fostering regional development and economic expansion.The Pune Bengaluru Expressway represents a significant leap forward in infrastructure development, promising to transform intercity travel and economic dynamics between Pune and Bengaluru. As the project progresses, it will be crucial to balance development with environmental sustainability to ensure long-term benefits for the region.
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