Pune–Kolhapur Highway Upgrade To Accelerate; Government Promises Safer, Faster Corridor Within A Year
Pune–Kolhapur Highway Upgrade To Accelerate; Government Promises Safer, Faster Corridor Within A Year
Pune, December 5, 2025: The long-delayed repair and widening work on the Pune–Kolhapur segment of the Mumbai–Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) is set for a major push. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that all pending hurdles will be addressed soon, with the aim of making the entire route safer and free from congestion within the next year.
His assurance came during the ongoing winter session, where several MPs voiced concern over the rising accidents near Navale Bridge, poor road quality, and repeated delays in the project. NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule questioned the government over the prolonged slowdown, highlighting that thousands of daily commuters continue to face hardships due to unfinished work.
Responding to the discussion, Gadkari said the highway is being upgraded under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. He noted that the Pune–Satara stretch has an approved Detailed Project Report valued at ₹6,000 crore, and work is underway.
He acknowledged, however, that the Satara–Kolhapur section has been impacted by land acquisition delays and administrative issues. A review meeting with senior NHAI officials has been planned to speed up progress.
Sharing updates on the Khambatki Ghat, Gadkari said sharp bends and heavy vehicle movement often create traffic bottlenecks in the area. To address this, two new tunnels are being built, one of which is nearing completion and expected to open soon, easing the commute for motorists.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring smoother, safer travel along the Pune–Kolhapur corridor within the next year. Once the upgrades are completed, the improved highway is expected to reduce travel time, boost safety standards, and strengthen connectivity across western Maharashtra.
Project Snapshot:
Total length of Pune–Kolhapur corridor: 250 km
Six-laning under progress: 133 km
Estimated cost of Pune–Satara stretch: ₹6,000 crore
Key challenge: Land acquisition issues between Satara and Kagal
