Pune – Bengaluru Highway: Six Lane Karad Flyover Opens To Traffic, But Congestion Relief Still Some Distance Away
Pune - Bengaluru Highway: Six Lane Karad Flyover Opens To Traffic, But Congestion Relief Still Some Distance Away
Karad, June 22, 2026: The much-awaited six-lane flyover on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) in Karad was formally inaugurated on Sunday and partially opened to traffic. However, despite the grand inauguration, traffic congestion in the area is yet to ease completely as only one lane has been opened for light vehicles on a trial basis.
The 3.47-kilometre-long flyover, constructed between the Koyna River and Nandalapur, has been designed to decongest one of the busiest stretches of the Pune-Bengaluru highway passing through Karad city. The project has faced multiple delays over the past several months, prompting repeated demands from commuters and local residents for its completion.
Although there were expectations that the flyover would become fully operational by June 20, some minor construction and finishing works are still pending. As a result, authorities have opened only one lane for light four-wheeler traffic as part of a trial run.
Officials said efforts are underway to complete the remaining work before the peak monsoon season. Instructions have reportedly been issued to the contractor to expedite the pending tasks.
Before opening the flyover to the public, engineers conducted load-testing exercises using 30-tonne dumpers to verify its structural safety and weight-bearing capacity. During the trial phase, a speed limit of 40 kmph has been imposed, which is expected to be increased to 80 kmph once the flyover becomes fully operational.
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— Shivendrasinh A Bhonsle (@Shivendraraje11) June 21, 2026
महामार्ग क्र. 4
येथील उड्डाण पुलावर शेंद्रे ते कागल मार्गावरील वाहतुक आज सुरु करण्यात आली. याचा शुभारंभ केला. उर्वरित काम तातडीने पूर्ण करण्याच्या सूचना संबंधित अधिकाऱ्यांना केल्या. यावेळी खा. श्रीमंत छ. उदयनराजे भोसले, आ. डॉ. अतुल भोसले, आ. मनोज घोरपडे, जिल्हा… pic.twitter.com/Tm9eSGhGq7
Built at an estimated cost of approximately ₹500 crore, the flyover is expected to significantly improve traffic flow through Karad and nearby Malkapur. Once all lanes are opened, commuters are expected to save up to 30 minutes in travel time while benefiting from safer and smoother travel on the highway.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several public representatives and officials, who expressed confidence that the project would provide long-term relief from traffic congestion and enhance connectivity on one of Maharashtra’s busiest national highway corridors.
