Khambatki Tunnel Nears Completion: Set to Ease Traffic on Mumbai–Bengaluru Corridor

The Khambatki tunnel project on the Pune–Satara National Highway is in its final stages of completion and is expected to be opened to vehicular traffic by June 2026, according to media reports. The reports further state that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which develops, maintains, and manages national highways entrusted to it by the Government of India, has successfully completed trial runs.

During the trials, light motor vehicles were allowed to pass through the tunnel to assess traffic flow, safety systems, and overall operational readiness.

The opening of the tunnel is expected to not only significantly reduce travel time but also improve road safety on the Pune–Satara highway, which is currently considered highly accident-prone due to dangerous curves and steep gradients.

The Khambatki tunnel project was conceived to ease persistent traffic congestion on this stretch. Once fully operational, it will substantially cut travel time. Instead of navigating a mountainous route with sharp curves, S-shaped turns, and steep gradients, vehicles will be able to pass through the tunnel seamlessly.

The tunnel is equipped with CCTV surveillance, control rooms, ventilation systems, emergency escape passages, and high-intensity lighting.