Rs 6,000 Crore Elevated Corridor On Pune–Bengaluru Highway To Be Fast-Tracked: Report

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has instructed officials to expedite the long-pending elevated corridor along the Pune–Bengaluru Highway (NH-48), covering the busy stretches within Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune Pulse reported.

According to senior National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials cited in the report, the directive was issued during a review meeting on 7 August.

“The proposal will soon be placed before the Union Cabinet. The minister has also asked us to simultaneously begin tendering so that the project can move forward immediately after cabinet approval,” one official was quoted as saying by Pune Pulse.

The project, which has been in pipeline for nearly four years, involves constructing a 32 km elevated corridor at an estimated cost of Rs 5,500–Rs 6,000 crore.

The detailed project report has already been completed, with the alignment split into two phases: Dehu Road–Pashan-Sus and Pashan-Sus–Narhe.

Initially designed to end at Balewadi Stadium, the first phase was later extended to Pashan-Sus following requests from IT professionals in Hinjewadi and local residents.

Delays in execution were earlier attributed to arbitration disputes with the existing concessionaire, which currently manages the 140 km Dehu Road–Shendre section and collects tolls.

In August 2024, Maval MP Shrirang Barne flagged the issue in Parliament, prompting Gadkari to clarify that arbitration disputes had stalled the progress.

Officials now say the disputes are nearing resolution, paving the way for construction.

Once built, the corridor is expected to ease chronic congestion on NH-48, particularly during peak hours, and support the fast-expanding residential and commercial zones along the highway.

Meanwhile, NHAI has also begun preparations to widen service roads within Pimpri-Chinchwad from 12 to 24 metres.

Civic authorities recently cleared 110 structures to make space for the expansion, which will begin after the monsoon.

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