Pune Accelerates Approval for 32 km Elevated Highway Corridor
Pune is making significant strides in decongesting its busiest transport route with the proposed 32-kilometre elevated corridor along the Pune–Bengaluru Highway. The project aims to enhance connectivity, reduce traffic, and improve air quality.
PuneElevated CorridorTraffic DecongestionSustainable MobilityUrban PlanningReal Estate PuneAug 22, 2025
The elevated expressway has been in the planning stages for nearly four years, but progress has been hampered by arbitration disputes with a private concessionaire. However, officials have confirmed that steps are being taken to terminate the existing contract amicably, clearing the way for the government to take the project forward without prolonged legal hurdles.
Once executed, the corridor is expected to significantly transform intra-city connectivity by separating through-traffic from local vehicular movement. According to experts, the corridor will not only reduce gridlock but also cut vehicular emissions in a city grappling with rising air pollution and mounting carbon load. Cleaner mobility solutions are critical for urban centres like Pune, which aspire to be climate-resilient and equitable in the face of rapid growth.
The highway stretch in question has witnessed exponential residential and commercial expansion, amplifying congestion and deteriorating air quality. The proposed elevated corridor is seen as a long-term investment in sustainable mobility by offering smoother transit, reducing idling time, and minimizing fuel wastage. Road planners also highlight the project’s potential to enhance freight efficiency for industries dependent on the Pune–Satara–Bengaluru logistics route.
In recent years, Pune has emerged as a focal point for debates around green mobility, zero-net carbon growth, and future-ready infrastructure. Urban researchers argue that while expressways provide immediate relief, they must be integrated with public transport systems, non-motorised mobility corridors, and last-mile connectivity solutions to ensure inclusivity. Without these, projects risk favouring only vehicular commuters while neglecting pedestrians, cyclists, and the marginalised.
Government sources have indicated that tendering for the project could begin even before final Cabinet approval, signalling urgency in pushing the initiative through. However, questions remain over financing, environmental impact assessments, and whether provisions for equitable access will be incorporated into the design. As Pune struggles with its ever-tightening road grid, the elevated corridor represents both an opportunity and a test. Its success will depend not merely on steel and concrete but on whether the city can blend infrastructure expansion with eco-conscious planning and socially inclusive transport priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed length of the elevated corridor in Pune?
The proposed elevated corridor in Pune is 32 kilometres long, stretching from Dehu Road to Narhe.
Why has the project been delayed?
The project has been delayed due to arbitration disputes with a private concessionaire. However, steps are being taken to terminate the existing contract amicably.
What are the expected benefits of the elevated corridor?
The corridor is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance freight efficiency for industries dependent on the Pune–Satara–Bengaluru logistics route.
How will the project address environmental concerns?
The project aims to reduce vehicular emissions and promote cleaner mobility solutions, which are critical for urban centres like Pune that are grappling with rising air pollution.
What are the potential challenges in implementing the project?
Potential challenges include financing, environmental impact assessments, and ensuring provisions for equitable access, such as integrating the project with public transport systems and non-motorised mobility corridors.
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