Khambataki Ghat Tunnel Trial Begins: NHAI Opens One Tube on Pune–Bengaluru Highway

Описание: Traffic movement on the Pune–Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) received a boost on Friday as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began trial operations on one tube of the new Khambataki Ghat Tunnel. The left-side bore, which includes a 1.3-kilometre underground passage and a 1.2-kilometre elevated approach road, has been opened temporarily to test operations and traffic handling.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted, "In Maharashtra, NHAI is set to open the Left-Hand Side tube of the New Khambataki Ghat Tunnel on the Pune-Satara National Highway on a trial basis from 17 January 2026. The project will reduce travel time through the ghat from around 45 minutes to just 7 minutes. The package includes a 1.3 km tunnel and a 1.2 km viaduct. The Right-Hand Side tube is targeted for completion and opening by June 2026."

During this testing phase, only cars and other light vehicles are being allowed to use the new route. Trucks and other heavy vehicles will continue to travel through the older tunnel for now. Officials said the trial will help assess safety systems, ventilation, lighting, and traffic movement before full-scale opening.

Meanwhile, construction of the second tunnel tube is nearing completion and is expected to be ready later this year. Once both sides are operational, the project is expected to ease congestion, reduce travel time, and improve safety on the accident-prone Khambataki Ghat stretch, which is a key link between Pune and Bengaluru.