Pune: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Expressway has been completed and submitted to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) headquarters for final approval. Once sanctioned, the project will move into the land acquisition phase, according to NHAI Project Director Sanjay Kadam.
The expressway, envisioned as a state-of-the-art eight-lane corridor, is expected to be completed within two years after land acquisition. The new alignment will reduce the distance between Pune and Bengaluru by 93 kilometers, significantly cutting down travel time by four to five hours. The project is estimated to cost ₹40,000 crore.
This initiative is part of the Bharatmala Phase 2 project, under which approximately 3,000 kilometers of Greenfield expressways are being developed across India.
The Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Corridor is designed as a high-speed expressway, enabling vehicles to travel at up to 120 km/h. Additionally, the expressway will feature a five-kilometer-long emergency aircraft landing strip near Pune and Bengaluru, enhancing its strategic importance.
Key Features of the Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Expressway
Total Length: 745 kilometers (reducing the existing highway distance of 838 kilometers by 93 kilometers)
Estimated Cost: ₹40,000 crore
Vehicle Speed Limit: 120 km/h
Road Type: Six-lane, fully asphalted expressway
Access Roads: Dedicated roads connecting toll plazas to nearby villages
Infrastructure & Amenities: Rest areas, hotels, toilets, and parks for travelers
Strategic Utility: First national highway in Maharashtra to feature an emergency aircraft landing strip
Route Alignment: Will not pass directly through major cities like Sangli, Satara, and Kolhapur, ensuring smoother traffic flow