Pune to Bengaluru in just 7 hours: Expressway to cut travel time by half by 2028

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A major infrastructure project, the Pune-Bengaluru Expressway, is set to transform connectivity between Maharashtra and Karnataka. With an estimated investment of Rs 50,000 crore, this high-speed corridor is expected to reduce travel time significantly while boosting regional development and improving transport efficiency.

The expressway will stretch over approximately 700 kilometres and will link Kanjle in Maharashtra to Bommanal in Karnataka. One of the biggest advantages of this project is the significant cut in travel time. Currently, the road journey between Pune and Bengaluru takes nearly 15 hours. Once the expressway is operational, this will be slashed to just about 7 hours, more than a 50 per cent reduction. This will make the route much more convenient for both business and leisure travellers.

Designed as a six-lane high-speed road, the expressway will allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour, according to a report by Punekar News.

Its new alignment will also shorten the distance by nearly 95 kilometres compared to existing routes. The expressway will pass through 12 districts, including major hubs such as Pune, Satara, and Sangli in Maharashtra, and Belagavi, Bagalkot, Koppal, and Tumakuru in Karnataka. This is expected to boost logistics, reduce congestion on current highways, and open up new economic opportunities along the corridor.

Originally planned under Phase II of the Bharatmala Pariyojana in 2022, the project received approval for its Detailed Project Report (DPR) from both Maharashtra and Karnataka in February 2025. Central government clearance is expected by mid-2025, and construction is likely to be completed by 2028, Punekar News reported.

The expressway will include several smart features, such as automated toll systems, drone-based project monitoring, high-speed surveillance, and emergency services. Wildlife corridors and other environmental safeguards will be integrated into the design to maintain ecological balance and ensure road safety.