The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed a ₹42,000 crore greenfield expressway connecting Pune and Bangalore, expected to revolutionise regional connectivity by slashing travel time from nine hours to just seven. The 699-kilometre corridor — 206 kilometres of which will pass through Maharashtra — is designed to ease congestion on the overburdened existing highway while stimulating economic activity across the route.
According to officials, the detailed project report has already been submitted to the Union government, with construction slated to begin once approval is granted. The six-lane expressway is expected to be completed within three years, allowing vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 kmph. The new corridor will link seamlessly with the upcoming Pune Ring Road, forming part of a broader effort to modernise Maharashtra’s transport infrastructure. The integration, currently under discussion with state authorities, will provide improved connectivity for industrial hubs, logistics parks, and upcoming townships around Pune.
Urban planners say the project could serve as a critical backbone for regional growth, enabling faster movement of goods and people while reducing vehicular congestion on the old Pune–Bangalore route. “The new alignment is designed not only for speed but for long-term sustainability, with provisions for efficient tolling, service areas, and green buffer zones,” said an official involved in the project. The proposed expressway will also include two emergency airstrips near both terminal cities for strategic use, reflecting a growing national emphasis on multi-modal transport integration. Interchanges and underpasses will be constructed to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow, and passenger facilities will be developed along state and national highways connecting to the corridor.
For Maharashtra’s portion, land acquisition of nearly 5,000 acres has been planned, at an estimated cost of ₹10,000 crore. The remaining ₹32,000 crore will cover road construction, tunnels, and ancillary infrastructure. The state’s section will feature two tunnels in Satara district and three in Sangli to navigate hilly terrain, while the Pune stretch will largely run through flatter land. Experts highlight that beyond travel convenience, the expressway could become a growth corridor for new industrial and logistics hubs. With planned townships, manufacturing zones, and agri-export clusters expected to rise along the alignment, the project is seen as a driver of equitable regional development.
While environmentalists have called for sustainable design measures to minimise ecological disruption, NHAI officials maintain that green corridors and landscape restoration will be integral to the plan. If executed effectively, the Pune–Bangalore expressway could mark a new benchmark in balancing rapid infrastructure development with responsible urbanisation.
Pune-Bangalore Greenfield Expressway Worth ₹42,000 Crore To Cut Travel Time To Seven Hours
