Pune Ring Road Progress: Key Stretch Takes Shape, Travel Time from Mumbai to Bangalore Set to Reduce

Major tunnels, bridges and viaducts under construction as the project aims to cut travel time and reduce traffic inside Pune.

The construction of the ambitious Pune Outer Ring Road project has picked up pace, especially on the important western corridor. The project, which began work about a year ago, is estimated to cost ₹55,622 crore and will cover a total distance of 168.6 km with a width of 110 metres.

The ring road will include several large structures such as eight twin tunnels, seven viaducts, more than 10 bridges, 26 underpasses, 21 overpasses and nine pedestrian underpasses. Once completed, the road is expected to provide smoother and faster travel on the western side of Pune and reduce travel time between Mumbai, western Maharashtra districts and Bengaluru.

The underpasses and overpasses are being built to allow uninterrupted traffic movement. The road will also be fenced from both sides for safety. The project is being developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to reduce traffic congestion in Pune, where vehicles currently have to pass through the city to travel between Mumbai and other parts of the state.

The entire project is divided into two corridors – a 65.45 km western corridor and a 103.15 km eastern corridor. The road will be a four- to six-lane access-controlled highway with a design speed of up to 120 km per hour to ensure faster travel.

The western corridor connects Urse on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to Shivare on the Pune-Bengaluru Highway. This route will provide an alternative for vehicles travelling from Mumbai to Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Bengaluru.

According to MSRDC Executive Engineer, land acquisition for the western corridor is almost complete, which is helping construction work move faster. Although the western route passes through hilly terrain, valleys and water bodies, work is progressing steadily.

Currently, travelling from Urse to Shivare via the Pune bypass takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes for a distance of 58 km due to city traffic. Once the ring road is ready, the travel time is expected to reduce to about 30 minutes. Heavy vehicles travelling between Mumbai and Bengaluru will also be diverted to the ring road, reducing congestion within Pune.

The government believes the project will also boost development in nearby areas. MSRDC has already acquired more than 99 per cent of the required 1,054 hectares of land across 38 villages for the western corridor.

Plans are also being made to develop facilities along the road, including tree plantations, medical services, food courts, police stations, petrol pumps and public toilets.

Progress on Western Corridor Packages

Package 1: Urse to Kemsewadi (14.65 km)
This section is being constructed by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd and includes two tunnels, one viaduct, several bridges, overpasses and underpasses. Work is progressing slowly compared to other sections as tunnels and a bridge over the Pawna River are still in the early stages. Officials expect the work to be completed by December 2027.

Package 2: Kemsewadi to Morewadi (20 km)
This stretch in Mulshi taluka is being built by Navayuga Engineering Company. It includes two tunnels, bridges, vehicle overpasses and several underpasses. About 30 per cent of the work is complete. A 150-metre tunnel has already been constructed, while work on a longer 980-metre tunnel is about 50 per cent done. Most of the road is expected to be ready before March 2028.

Package 3: Morewadi to Vardade (14 km)
This section passes through difficult terrain in Mulshi and Haveli talukas. It includes three tunnels, two viaducts and several bridges and culverts. A 650-metre bridge over the Khadakwasla dam area is expected to be completed by January next year.

Package 4: Vardade to Kalyan (7.5 km)
Though short in length, this section includes a major six-kilometre tunnel. Around half of the tunnel construction is already complete, with about 1.5 km built from both sides.

Package 5: Kalyan to Shivare (9.38 km)
The final stretch includes 3.8 km of elevated road and 5.6 km of ground-level road. Construction of some parts of the elevated road is nearly complete. Officials say the work may be finished by November 2027 if the remaining land is acquired on time.

Once completed, the Pune Outer Ring Road is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city while providing faster connectivity between major highways.

Source: The Indian Express