PUNE, 8 NOV. The long-standing wait for the Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Access Controlled Expressway project, a significant national road connectivity plan, is nearing its end. The ambitious project, which has been awaiting final approval from the Central Government since 2023, is highly likely to receive approval in one of the next one or two Union Cabinet meetings. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has mentioned this expressway multiple times in his addresses, but its formal approval had remained pending until now. According to reports, as soon as the Cabinet grants approval, the land acquisition process will commence, which is expected to take about two years. The construction phase will follow, and it is estimated that the entire expressway will take a total of 5 to 6 years to complete.
Uninterrupted High-Speed Travel
This expressway will be an approximately 700-kilometer long, 6-lane modern Greenfield corridor, allowing vehicles to move continuously at high speeds without any interruptions. Once the route is ready, the distance from the Pune Outer Ring Road to the Bengaluru Strategic Transport Ring Road (STRR) can be covered in just 7 hours. Currently, the same distance takes about 12 to 13 hours to travel.
Current Highway Status and Project Necessity
The current primary link for travel between Pune and Bengaluru is National Highway NH-48. This route is a major industrial and freight corridor connecting Maharashtra, Karnataka, and South India. However, traffic pressure has multiplied several times in recent years. Due to the constant movement of heavy goods trucks and ongoing road widening and repair work in various sections, long traffic jams and slow movement have become common on the highway. This results in losses of both time and cost for commuters, industries, and transport companies.
Major Impact on Economic and Regional Development
The new Greenfield Expressway will not only reduce travel time but will also prove extremely beneficial for the industrial, IT, agricultural, and logistics sectors of both states. The proposed industrial clusters, logistics hubs, and warehousing zones along the route will accelerate regional employment and investment. Consequently, cities like Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Belagavi will receive new economic impetus. Faster and safer connectivity will be available towards Bengaluru, including the Nelamangala and STRR areas.
New Direction for Economic Activities
The Pune-Bengaluru Greenfield Expressway is not just a road project; it is poised to write a new chapter in fast, safe, and modern connectivity between two major metropolitan cities. All eyes are now focused on the upcoming Union Cabinet meetings. If approved, this project will provide a new direction to connectivity and economic activities in Western and Southern India in the coming years.
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