The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, officially named the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, is India’s first six-lane wide concrete, access-controlled toll expressway. Stretching 94.5 km, it connects Maharashtra’s financial capital, Mumbai (Raigad–Navi Mumbai region), with the cultural and educational hub, Pune. Now, a new Mumbai-Pune Expressway is on the horizon.
As part of an unprecedented push to enhance road infrastructure in Maharashtra, the Central Government has approved projects worth ₹1.5 lakh crore. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced this ambitious initiative aimed at significantly reducing travel time across the state, improving logistics efficiency, and easing traffic congestion. The plan includes a second Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a new expressway connecting Pune to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and several elevated corridors in the Pune region.
Mumbai-Pune Expressway II: 90-Minute Commute
The proposed Mumbai-Pune Expressway II will span 130 km at an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore, running parallel to the existing expressway. Once completed, travel time between Mumbai and Pune is expected to reduce from 2.5–3 hours to just 90 minutes, offering commuters and logistics services a faster and smoother journey.
Traffic-Free Travel
The new expressway is expected to relieve congestion, especially in the ghats, which are notorious for delays. Gadkari confirmed that the initial phase connecting JNPA (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority) to Panvel has received official approval. This corridor will enhance connectivity, benefiting daily commuters, logistics companies, and emergency services.
Mumbai to Bengaluru in 5.5 Hours
With the new expressway network, travel from Mumbai to Bengaluru via Pune is expected to take just 5.5 hours, significantly boosting intercity commerce, tourism, and regional business connectivity across western and southern India.
Pune–Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Expressway
A greenfield expressway linking Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is under construction with an estimated budget of ₹16,318 crore. This project aims to cut travel time between the two cities by nearly two hours. Two possible routes are under consideration: one via Ahilyanagar and another through Shikrapur in Beed district. Upon completion, travel from Sambhajinagar to Nagpur will be reduced to 2.5–3 hours, further improving regional connectivity.
Major Investments in Pune District
Pune district is set to receive approximately ₹50,000 crore in infrastructure investments, with construction expected to begin within three months of local elections. Key projects include the Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur Elevated Corridor, a ₹4,207-crore project comprising roads, flyovers, and metro lines.
The Hadapsar–Yavat Elevated Road is currently in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage, with construction expected post-elections. Additionally, to improve cargo and port connectivity, the NHAI plans to develop a 15-km link road connecting Morbe and Kalamboli, directly linking the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to JNPA. Valued at ₹9,000 crore, this project is expected to significantly enhance freight movement, as the Maharashtra section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway nears completion by 2026.
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