Pune’s strategic Pune–Satara expressway project has changed hands in a Rs 2,000 crore transaction, marking one of the most significant infrastructure acquisitions in the highway sector this year. The deal allows the outgoing operator to reduce debt and focus on core growth areas, while the buyer strengthens its long-term footprint in India’s road network.
The 140-kilometre, six-lane expressway—part of the crucial Golden Quadrilateral corridor connecting Mumbai and Bengaluru—will now be fully acquired by Cube Highways and Infrastructure III, a Singapore-based platform with a growing presence in India’s toll road sector. The transaction involves the purchase of a 100 per cent stake in the special purpose vehicle managing the Pune–Satara project.
Valued at Rs 2,000 crore, the deal represents more than a change of ownership; it underlines the renewed investor confidence in India’s transport corridors. The outgoing company will gain equity proceeds of Rs 600 crore and reduce consolidated debt by nearly Rs 1,400 crore. Company officials emphasised that this would improve balance sheet strength and release capital for fresh investment in priority areas, even as the company maintains a zero-debt position on a standalone basis.
For Cube Highways, the acquisition cements its position as one of India’s most active investors in road assets. The firm has already completed several highway purchases across the country, including a previous Rs 3,600 crore deal involving the Delhi–Agra expressway. Analysts note that Cube’s growing portfolio reflects the long-term value seen in Indian toll assets, where traffic growth is fuelled by rapid urbanisation, freight expansion, and rising intercity passenger mobility.The Pune–Satara expressway has been operational since 2010 under the Build–Operate–Transfer model, with toll collection providing the revenue stream. Its strategic role extends beyond local connectivity, as it acts as a vital artery for freight and passenger movement across western India. By upgrading and maintaining such corridors, operators play a key role in shaping more efficient and sustainable regional logistics.
Infrastructure experts point out that road divestments of this scale are increasingly linked to sustainability agendas. Large investors like Cube Highways often bring in global capital standards, improved safety protocols, and digital tolling solutions that contribute to smoother and cleaner transport systems. In the long run, such transitions are expected to align with India’s national push towards greener mobility, even within carbon-intensive highway networks. With regulatory approvals pending, the transaction is expected to close by the end of the month. As ownership shifts, the Pune–Satara corridor is likely to witness new investment in road safety, congestion management, and technology-driven toll operations. For travellers, freight operators, and the city at large, the deal could translate into smoother mobility and a more sustainable backbone for one of Maharashtra’s busiest routes.
