India’s Next Major Expressway To Connect Pune And Bengaluru By 2028, Cutting Travel Time To 6 Hours

Pune, 20th June 2025: A transformative infrastructure project is on the horizon as the ambitious Pune-Bengaluru Expressway takes shape. With an estimated cost of ₹50,000 crore, the high-speed corridor promises to drastically cut down travel time between Maharashtra and Karnataka, ushering in a new era of connectivity and economic growth.

Spanning approximately 700 kilometers, the expressway is designed to reduce the current travel duration of 14 to 15 hours to just 6 to 7 hours. This is expected to significantly benefit both business and leisure travellers, while also easing congestion on the existing highway network.

The six-lane expressway will begin at Kanjle in Maharashtra and will end at Bommanal in Karnataka, passing through 12 districts, including Pune, Satara, and Sangli in Maharashtra, and Belagavi, Bagalkot, Koppal, and Tumakuru in Karnataka. The arrangement will shorten the route by nearly 95 kilometers and support speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Originally conceptualized under Phase II of the Bharatmala Pariyojana in 2022, the expressway has steadily progressed through planning stages. The Detailed Project Report was approved by both state governments in February 2025, and central clearance is expected by mid-2025. The project will be operational after its completion in 2028, according to the officials.

Equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure, the expressway will incorporate smart toll systems, drone-based project mapping, electronic speed monitoring, and CCTV surveillance. Provisions for emergency response systems and wildlife passages near ecologically sensitive zones reflect a balanced approach between progress and environmental responsibility.

Officials anticipate a surge in industrial activity along the route, particularly in regions like Satara, Sangli, and Tumakuru. It is also expressed that real estate prices are expected to rise as connectivity improves, bolstered by multiple entry and exit ramps that will facilitate regional development.

Part of a broader plan to link major cities via India’s longest expressway corridor—from Delhi to Chennai—the Pune-Bengaluru stretch will play a pivotal role in strengthening south India’s logistical and economic framework.

Once completed, the expressway is expected to not only redefine interstate travel but also stimulate job creation, trade, and regional growth across the two states.