Maharashtra Plans Rs 120 Billion Highway to Ease Pune Traffic
31 Mar 2025
2 Min Read
CW Team
The Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has proposed a 135-km four-lane highway to ease congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with an estimated cost of Rs 120 billion. The new corridor will connect Shirur, Chakan, Talegaon, Shiroli, Karjat, and JNPT (Uran), offering an alternative route for vehicles traveling between Marathwada and Mumbai. The project awaits final approval from the state cabinet.
Easing Traffic Woes in Key Industrial Corridors
The Shikrapur-Chakan-Talegaon-Lonavala corridor is a vital industrial route but suffers from severe congestion, leading to long delays and higher transportation costs. The new highway is expected to divert heavy traffic away from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, improving logistics efficiency and providing a direct and faster route to Mumbai.
Project Infrastructure and Design Features
According to R Y Patil, executive engineer of the PWD, the highway will include:
Four lanes for smoother traffic flow
Eight village bypasses to minimize local disruptions
A tunnel at Khandala Ghat, similar to the Amrutanjan Bridge, ensuring a steady gradient for uninterrupted travel
The estimated budget of Rs 120 billion includes Rs 115 billion for land acquisition and Rs 85 billion for construction. The highway will be developed under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, ensuring private sector participation in its funding and maintenance.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The new highway is set to boost industrial growth by improving connectivity for key industrial zones in Shirur, Talegaon, and Karjat. Agricultural trade will also benefit from faster transport, reducing spoilage and logistics costs.
Additionally, the project is under review by the State Environment Impact Assessment Committee to ensure minimal ecological disruption. Measures will be implemented to mitigate environmental impact during construction.
Approval and Construction Timeline
Once approved, land acquisition is expected to take one year, followed by 2.5 years of construction. The proposal is currently under consideration by the State Infrastructure Committee, chaired by the chief minister. Officials expect swift approval to accelerate the project鈥檚 execution.
Conclusion
The proposed Pune-Mumbai highway is set to revolutionize regional transportation, alleviating congestion and enhancing connectivity. By diverting heavy traffic, the project will improve air quality, road safety, and economic growth. With faster and more efficient connectivity, Maharashtra鈥檚 industrial and infrastructure landscape is expected to receive a significant boost.
The Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has proposed a 135-km four-lane highway to ease congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with an estimated cost of Rs 120 billion. The new corridor will connect Shirur, Chakan, Talegaon, Shiroli, Karjat, and JNPT (Uran), offering an alternative route for vehicles traveling between Marathwada and Mumbai. The project awaits final approval from the state cabinet.
Easing Traffic Woes in Key Industrial Corridors
The Shikrapur-Chakan-Talegaon-Lonavala corridor is a vital industrial route but suffers from severe congestion, leading to long delays and higher transportation costs. The new highway is expected to divert heavy traffic away from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, improving logistics efficiency and providing a direct and faster route to Mumbai.
Project Infrastructure and Design Features
According to R Y Patil, executive engineer of the PWD, the highway will include:
Four lanes for smoother traffic flow
Eight village bypasses to minimize local disruptions
A tunnel at Khandala Ghat, similar to the Amrutanjan Bridge, ensuring a steady gradient for uninterrupted travel
The estimated budget of Rs 120 billion includes Rs 115 billion for land acquisition and Rs 85 billion for construction. The highway will be developed under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, ensuring private sector participation in its funding and maintenance.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The new highway is set to boost industrial growth by improving connectivity for key industrial zones in Shirur, Talegaon, and Karjat. Agricultural trade will also benefit from faster transport, reducing spoilage and logistics costs.
Additionally, the project is under review by the State Environment Impact Assessment Committee to ensure minimal ecological disruption. Measures will be implemented to mitigate environmental impact during construction.
Approval and Construction Timeline
Once approved, land acquisition is expected to take one year, followed by 2.5 years of construction. The proposal is currently under consideration by the State Infrastructure Committee, chaired by the chief minister. Officials expect swift approval to accelerate the project鈥檚 execution.
Conclusion
The proposed Pune-Mumbai highway is set to revolutionize regional transportation, alleviating congestion and enhancing connectivity. By diverting heavy traffic, the project will improve air quality, road safety, and economic growth. With faster and more efficient connectivity, Maharashtra鈥檚 industrial and infrastructure landscape is expected to receive a significant boost.
Next Story
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028
India鈥檚 first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India鈥檚 infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..
Next Story
Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity
The Mumbai Central鈥揋andhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India鈥檚 busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train鈥檚 seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai鈥揂hmedabad鈥揋andhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...
Next Story
Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently
Delhi鈥檚 ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river鈥檚 health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..