Pune’s long-awaited elevated corridor project on the Pune–Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) is finally moving closer to execution, with officials confirming that the Rs 6,000 crore plan will soon be presented before the Union Cabinet. Designed to decongest one of Maharashtra’s busiest highway stretches, the project aims to ease chronic traffic bottlenecks while aligning with the city’s rapid urban expansion.
According to senior highway officials, directives have been issued to fast-track tendering and preparatory work so that construction can commence soon after cabinet clearance. The 32 km elevated stretch will be built in two phases, covering the Dehu Road–Pashan-Sus corridor and extending further from Pashan-Sus to Narhe. Originally, the alignment was limited to Balewadi, but public demand from IT professionals and residents prompted authorities to extend the plan.
Also Watch: An Exclusive Interview with Sanjeev Jaiswal (IAS), CEO MHADA
The corridor, pending for nearly four years, had earlier been delayed by arbitration disputes with the concessionaire managing toll operations on the existing Dehu Road–Shendre section. Officials indicate that these hurdles are now nearing resolution, which clears the way for implementation.Urban planners note that the highway has become a critical link not only for intercity connectivity but also for daily commutes within Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The volume of passenger and freight vehicles has risen sharply in recent years, with peak-hour congestion causing significant delays and higher vehicular emissions. Experts suggest that the corridor, once operational, could drastically cut travel time, lower fuel wastage, and help reduce carbon emissions making it a sustainable addition to Pune’s urban transport network.
In parallel, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun work on widening service roads across Pimpri-Chinchwad from 12 to 24 metres. Civic officials have cleared over 100 encroachments, paving the way for road expansion that is expected to complement the elevated corridor and improve last-mile connectivity.While the elevated corridor represents a massive infrastructure investment, experts emphasise the importance of balancing road expansion with greener mobility solutions. They highlight that investments in metro rail, bus rapid transit, and non-motorised transport infrastructure must run alongside such mega-highway projects to ensure sustainable and equitable mobility.For Pune’s residents and commuters, however, the corridor brings the promise of relief from grinding traffic jams and a smoother drive through one of the city’s busiest corridors. If timelines are adhered to, construction could finally begin by early next year, ending years of uncertainty and delays.
