Pune–Bengaluru Highway in Poor Condition: Potholes, Mud, and Traffic Jams Persist While Toll Collection Continues

Pune:
The Pune–Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) continues to remain in a deplorable condition between Pune and Sangli despite years of toll collection and promises of improvement. Motorists are forced to drive through muddy roads, deep potholes, and heavy traffic jams, causing frustration among daily commuters.

Social activist Vijay Kumbhar criticized the authorities, stating that “citizens are being deceived in the name of development.” He also noted that despite the incomplete widening work, the government has now announced the construction of an eight-lane Greenfield Highway Project under the Bharatmala scheme. Citizens on social media have also voiced anger, questioning, “When will this highway mess finally end?”

The new highway aims to reduce travel time between Pune and Bengaluru from 14–15 hours to just seven hours. According to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the work is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2028, promising that the Belagavi–Bengaluru stretch will take just four to five hours once finished.

However, activists claim the existing highway has been under construction for years without tangible results. “Despite paying tolls, we still have to travel through potholes and traffic snarls. It takes nearly 10 hours to reach Sangli from Pune,” said Kumbhar.

Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) claim that 70% of land acquisition has been completed and only environmental clearance is pending. “Once approval is received, work will start immediately,” said Subhash Ghante, NHAI Engineer.

Citizens like Sandeep Shinde expressed anger over the long delays: “It’s been two decades, yet the highway till Kolhapur remains in a pathetic state. Work beyond Karad has completely stopped.”

While officials promise a faster and greener highway in the future, the present situation continues to test the patience of thousands of daily commuters.