Khambataki Ghat Tunnel On Pune-Bengaluru Highway: When Will It Be Fully Launched?

A major new tunnel project in Maharashtra will be inaugurated later this year. The left side of the new Khambataki Ghat Tunnel was opened for a trial run on January 17, 2026. This is a big step toward fixing a dangerous and slow mountain pass on the busy Pune-Bengaluru route.

The Problem It Solves

The old Khambatki Ghat road is notoriously treacherous. It has sharp, S-shaped curves and steep slopes that have caused many serious accidents for decades. This stretch has been a known "black spot," causing dozens of deaths and hundreds of accidents over the years. The old route also takes about 45 minutes to cross the ghat.

On the project, 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."

The New Solution

The project includes a new, straighter tunnel and an elevated bridge (viaduct) to bypass the dangerous curves. The left tunnel tube, which is 1.3 km long with a 1.2 km approach bridge, is now in trial operation. When fully complete, the twin-tunnel system will allow traffic to flow smoothly in both directions.

The Big Benefit

The main advantage is massive time and safety improvement. The new tunnel will slash the travel time through the ghat from 45 minutes down to just 7 minutes. More importantly, it will avoid the accident-prone bends, potentially saving many lives.

When Will It Fully Launch?

The right-side tunnel tube is targeted for completion and a full public opening by June 2026. The current trial run on the left tube helps manage traffic while workers finish the other side. Officials confirm the goal is to have both tunnels operational by June, according to a report in The Times of India.

This long-awaited infrastructure project is finally becoming a reality. Once fully open in June, it will provide a faster, safer, and more reliable journey on a critical national highway, ending a longstanding danger zone for drivers.