Pune: India is set to witness a major leap in transportation infrastructure with the development of a new Pune–Bengaluru Expressway, projected to be operational by 2028. Estimated at a cost of ₹50,000 crore, this ambitious expressway aims to cut current travel time between the two cities from 14–15 hours to just 6–7 hours.
Stretching nearly 700 kilometers, the six-lane expressway will start at Kanjle in Maharashtra and end at Bommanal in Karnataka. The route will pass through 12 major districts including Pune, Satara, Sangli, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Koppal, and Tumakuru, shortening the existing distance by about 95 kilometers. Designed for speeds up to 120 km/h, the corridor will provide a faster, safer alternative to current highway options.
Approved under Phase II of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the project received DPR (Detailed Project Report) clearance from the Maharashtra and Karnataka state governments in February 2025. Central government approval is expected by mid-2025, with construction timelines set to ensure completion by 2028.
The expressway will incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as smart toll systems, drone surveillance, electronic speed monitoring, and emergency response units. It will also include eco-friendly features like wildlife corridors and environmental protection measures to minimize its ecological impact.
Authorities believe the new expressway will significantly spur industrial expansion and real estate development—particularly in Maharashtra’s Satara and Sangli districts and Karnataka’s Tumakuru belt. It will also play a key role in connecting the upcoming Delhi–Chennai Expressway corridor, boosting freight efficiency and nationwide logistics.
Once completed, the Pune–Bengaluru Expressway is expected to be a transformative infrastructure initiative, accelerating regional growth, creating employment opportunities, and improving overall connectivity between two major economic hubs in southern and western India.
