Khambatki Tunnel to Open by June 2026: Pune-Satara Travel Time Slashed to 7 Minutes

• The Khambatki tunnel project is nearing completion, promising a significant reduction in travel time on the Pune-Satara highway.
• The 45-minute journey through Khambatki Ghat will be cut down to just 7 minutes, saving time and fuel for commuters.
• The new 6.5-kilometer project by NHAI includes a modern tunnel, a 1 km viaduct, and two underpasses, designed to handle 1.5 lakh vehicles daily for the next 25 years.
• It will bypass dangerous 'S' bends in the ghat, enhancing safety and reducing accident risks.
• One tunnel is currently open for light vehicles from Satara to Pune on a trial basis; full six-lane traffic through both tunnels is expected by June 2026.

Why It Matters: The Khambatki tunnel will drastically cut Pune-Satara travel time and enhance safety by June 2026.