Dighi Port To Pune Distance May Shrink By 30–50 Km; Two Alternative Routes Proposed For Tamhini Ghat

New road options aim to ease traffic congestion and support Dighi Port’s growth as a logistics hub

With Dighi Port in Shrivardhan set to emerge as a major commercial and logistics hub, concerns are growing over rising traffic pressure on the existing Tamhini Ghat route that connects Raigad to Pune and western Maharashtra.

To address this, two alternative routes have been proposed that could reduce the Dighi–Pune distance by 30 to 50 kilometres, while also saving time and fuel costs. However, the projects remain stalled due to lack of coordination between Raigad and Pune district authorities.

Growing Pressure On Tamhini Ghat

The Tamhini Ghat route significantly improved connectivity between South Raigad, Konkan and western Maharashtra. The stretch was later widened and declared part of the Aurangabad–Nagar–Pune–Paud–Vile National Highway, bringing multiple districts closer.

However, with tourism increasing in Shrivardhan, Mahad and the wider Konkan belt, traffic congestion at Tamhini Ghat has become frequent, especially on weekends and holidays. Long queues of vehicles are now common.

With Dighi Port expected to handle higher commercial traffic in the coming years, relying solely on the existing ghat road may not be sustainable.

First Alternative: Bridge And Tunnel Project

One proposed solution involves constructing a new bridge at Mulshi–Waghewadi–Tamhini in the Tata Dam area and building a tunnel between Dongarwadi and Tamhini.

If implemented, this route could reduce the current Dighi–Pune distance by nearly 30 kilometres, making freight and passenger movement faster and more convenient.

Second Alternative: Mangaon–Kumbhe–Ghol–Panshet Route

A more ambitious proposal is the Mangaon–Kumbhe–Kumbhyachi Wadi–Ghol–Panshet–Pune route. If completed, this road could cut the Dighi–Pune distance by up to 50 kilometres.

Work on the Kumbhe Dam in Mangaon taluka is already underway. The road from Mangaon to Kumbhe and a tunnel beneath the mountain have been completed. The road up to Kumbhyachi Wadi also exists.

However, a crucial seven-kilometre stretch between Kumbhyachi Wadi and Ghol remains incomplete. Of this, four kilometres fall in Raigad district and three kilometres in Pune district. The project has reportedly stalled due to administrative coordination issues between the two districts.

Urgent Need For Political Push

With Dighi Port poised to become a key transport hub for western and northern Maharashtra, and tourism booming in the Konkan region, the demand for an alternative to Tamhini Ghat is growing stronger.

The new route would not only ease congestion but could also boost tourism in the Kumbhe and surrounding areas by creating a scenic and shorter access corridor to South Konkan.

Observers say that resolving inter-district coordination hurdles and accelerating the pending seven-kilometre stretch is crucial. With rising traffic and expanding port activity, the need for a viable alternative to Tamhini Ghat is becoming increasingly urgent.