Pune to Bengaluru Expressway Set to Halve Travel Time by 2028
The upcoming Pune – Bengaluru Expressway promises to cut road travel time between the two major cities to just seven hours by 2028, setting the stage for faster mobility, regional economic growth, and smart sustainable infrastructure across Maharashtra and Karnataka. Envisioned as a game-changing corridor, the 700-kilometre expressway will link Kanjle in Maharashtra to Bommanal in Karnataka.
Designed for speeds of up to 120 kmph, it will more than halve the current travel time of 15 hours. Beyond passenger convenience, it is expected to strengthen inter-state logistics and reshape the economic geography of southern and western India. This six-lane greenfield expressway, approved under Phase II of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, has received technical clearance from both state governments, with central approval likely before the end of this year. With a projected investment of ₹50,000 crore, the scale of the project places it among India’s most ambitious infrastructure undertakings. Unlike the existing National Highway-48, the new alignment shortens the distance by nearly 95 kilometres.
The route is planned to bypass urban congestion zones and will connect 12 districts — including key hubs like Pune, Satara, Sangli, Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Tumakuru — allowing faster and smoother vehicle movement across industrial belts, farmlands, and upcoming growth centres. As construction progresses, logistics firms, real estate developers, and agro-processing units are eyeing new opportunities that the expressway could open. Industrial estates in Maharashtra’s western corridor and Karnataka’s northern belt, long stifled by slow freight and limited inter-city access, now expect to see sharper integration with national supply chains. Mobility experts also suggest the project will help reduce carbon emissions over the long term.
With faster transit and fewer stoppages, fuel consumption is projected to drop significantly. Additionally, provisions for electric vehicle infrastructure have been embedded into the blueprint, aligning the project with India’s clean transport ambitions. A hallmark feature of this expressway will be its intelligent traffic systems and digital tolling. These smart technologies aim to eliminate bottlenecks at toll plazas and enhance user experience. Drone-based project tracking, real-time CCTV surveillance, and weather-resilient construction are also planned to ensure timely delivery and long-term durability. Environmental sustainability remains a key focus. Wildlife corridors, soil erosion buffers, rainwater collection systems, and native tree plantations are being integrated into the project design.
Officials claim this expressway is not just a feat of engineering, but also a conscious move toward climate-resilient infrastructure. Communities along the corridor are expected to benefit from better access to services, job creation, and land value appreciation. However, urban development experts caution that without clear zoning policies and environmental safeguards, the region may face unchecked urbanisation and stress on basic resources. To address these concerns, the planning authorities are collaborating with local governments for integrated land-use plans, sustainable drainage systems, and inclusive transit hubs. Rehabilitation packages for displaced communities are under negotiation, and stakeholders have demanded transparency in compensation processes.
The Pune-Bengaluru Expressway is also likely to ease pressure on India’s already-burdened domestic air travel sector. Business and leisure travellers who currently rely on short-haul flights may switch to road transport, especially with the new corridor offering faster and more reliable access. Transport planners see this expressway as a crucial link in the broader push for multimodal connectivity. With tie-ins expected with railway freight corridors and industrial clusters, it may become a vital spoke in India’s logistics ecosystem. Construction is expected to begin in full swing by early 2026, with land acquisition and environment clearance processes now at advanced stages. If timelines hold, the corridor could be fully operational by 2028, ushering in a new era of road travel between the two economic powerhouses.
As India aims to build net-zero carbon cities and smart infrastructure corridors, this expressway could mark a defining step in realising that vision. The balance between speed, sustainability, and equity will ultimately determine whether this bold project becomes a model for future development or just another concrete stretch.
