Pune-Kolhapur Highway to See Major Upgrade Within a Year, Government Promises
Union Minister pledges to finish widening and repair work on the Pune-Kolhapur stretch of NH-48 within a year — easing travel and accidents.
Pune|05 December 2025: The long-pending repair and widening work on the Pune–Kolhapur stretch of the Mumbai–Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) is finally poised to gain momentum. Officials have assured that all outstanding hurdles will be addressed and that the entire corridor will be upgraded to deliver safer, smoother, and congestion-free travel within the next year. This commitment comes amid mounting concern over deteriorating road conditions, frequent accidents and daily commuter hardships along this vital route.
Lawmakers had raised these issues during the recent winter session, pointing to alarming accident rates near the Navale Bridge, and the overall deteriorated state of the highway. The central government responded by unveiling a comprehensive upgradation plan under a major national highways programme. A detailed project report (DPR) has been cleared for the Pune–Satara section — encompassing six-laning, resurfacing, and realignment works — with an estimated cost of ₹6,000 crore. Construction work has begun, and efforts are underway to resolve land acquisition issues that stalled the Satara–Kolhapur segment.
On the challenging Khambatki Ghat stretch, where narrow roads and sharp curves have long plagued motorists, construction of two tunnels has commenced. One among these tunnels is reportedly in its final phase and is expected to open to traffic soon, offering much-needed relief to travellers negotiating the steep ghat region.
Officials emphasise that once upgrades are completed, the upgraded corridor will significantly improve safety standards, reduce accidents and substantially cut travel time between Pune, Satara and Kolhapur. The six-laning of about 133 km, along with resurfacing and structural improvements across the 250 km corridor, is expected to transform the travel experience for commuters, long-distance travellers and commercial transporters alike.
The announcement also follows a recent change in contractors for the Pune–Satara stretch — a move taken to expedite road works after earlier delays and inefficiencies. With the fresh contractor on board and a renewed focus on implementation, authorities aim to accelerate work pace and complete the upgrade within a year.
For thousands of daily commuters, tourists headed to hill stations and travellers to Kolhapur or Bengaluru, the upgraded highway promises safer, more reliable journeys. Moreover, improved connectivity is likely to boost economic activity in western Maharashtra by facilitating smoother movement of goods, reducing logistics costs and enhancing access to markets.
The proposed corridor upgrade also potentially reduces strain on alternate roads and ghats, offering a more predictable and time-efficient alternative for people travelling between Pune, Satara, Kolhapur and beyond.
As the plan moves forward, stakeholders emphasise the importance of transparent land acquisition, timely completion of tunnels and bridges, and efficient traffic management during construction — to minimize inconvenience and ensure safety.
In coming months, progress updates from the highway authority will be keenly watched by commuters, logistics companies and state planners alike. If the stated timelines are met, the Pune–Kolhapur highway’s transformation could become a benchmark project for regional road infrastructure — improving connectivity, enhancing safety, and boosting socio-economic development across western Maharashtra.
