Khambatki Ghat Twin Tunnel Nears Completion, Cuts Travel Time on Pune–Satara Highway

Khambatki-Ghat-tunnel
National Highways Authority of India is set to transform the congested Khambatki Ghat stretch on the Pune–Satara highway with the near completion of the six-lane twin tube tunnel project on NH-48. With overall physical progress reaching 86 per cent, the project is on track for inauguration in the first half of 2026.

As part of trial operations and safety assessments, one tube of the tunnel has been opened to traffic, significantly reducing travel time through the ghat section from 15–20 minutes to about 5–10 minutes. The new tunnel replaces the earlier bottleneck comprising a narrow two-lane tunnel and an 8 km ghat road with sharp curves and high accident risk.

Designed with modern safety features such as improved lighting, CCTV surveillance, reflectors, guard railings and fire safety systems, the tunnel enhances both safety and driving comfort. The project is expected to ease congestion, reduce accidents, lower fuel consumption and improve connectivity on the busy Mumbai–Pune–Bengaluru corridor.

Once fully operational, the Khambatki Ghat twin tunnel will provide seamless movement between Pune and Satara, benefiting daily commuters, freight movement and tourism in the region.
📅 Published on: 28 April 2026
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