Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has revealed that a new high-speed express highway is under construction to connect Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru in record time.
Once completed, the journey from Mumbai to Pune
will take around 90 minutes, while Pune to Bengaluru will be possible in just five hours.
The expressway will start at the Atal Tunnel in Mumbai, link with the Pune Ring Road, and extend all the way to Bengaluru. In Pune district alone, road and highway works worth Rs 50,000 crore are underway, while across the region, infrastructure development is pegged at Rs 2 lakh crore.
Why Is This Project Special?
As per Free Press Journal, the Rs 40,000 crore Pune–Bengaluru Expressway will cut travel time between Mumbai and Bengaluru from 18 hours to just six. This 700 km-long, access-controlled greenfield highway will feature:
- Two emergency airstrips for defence and rescue use
- 55 flyovers and 22 interchanges for smooth traffic flow
- A maximum speed limit of 120 km/h for safe yet rapid travel
The route will pass through 12 districts in Maharashtra and Karnataka, becoming a key driver for regional economic growth.
What About Other Developments?
Gadkari also confirmed plans for elevated road corridors within Pune to ease congestion, and an upcoming expansion of Pune airport. New proposals worth Rs 15,000 crore are set to be launched soon, with another Rs 15,000 crore in the pipeline.
Despite challenges like land acquisition, the minister stressed that strong political will and proper coordination can overcome delays.
