Major Highway Boost for Pune: Centre Plans Four New Corridors to Ease Traffic

The Pune metropolitan region may soon see a major transformation in its road infrastructure as the Union government moves forward with several long-awaited highway projects. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that the foundation stones for four important highway corridors around Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are expected to be laid within the next month.

The proposed projects — Pune–Shirur, Hadapsar–Yavat, Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur, and Nashik Phata–Khed — are aimed at reducing the severe traffic congestion that has been affecting commuters in the Pune metropolitan region for years. The announcement was made during a press briefing in Pune after a review meeting with officials overseeing infrastructure development in western Maharashtra.

During the review, Gadkari assessed the progress of various road projects in the region handled by agencies such as the National Highways Authority of India, the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation, and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. Senior officials from multiple departments attended the meeting to discuss the status and future planning of these projects.

According to Gadkari, the tendering process for the Pune–Shirur, Hadapsar–Yavat, and Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur highways has already been completed. After discussions with the state leadership, including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the formal foundation ceremonies are likely to take place within a month, after which construction work will begin.

Longest Flyover Planned on Pune–Shirur Route

Two of the proposed highways — Pune–Shirur and Hadapsar–Yavat — will feature elevated corridors to separate local and long-distance traffic. A major highlight of the plan is a 31-kilometre flyover between Kharadi and Vitthalwadi on the Pune–Shirur route. If completed as planned, this structure could become the longest flyover in India.

The concept behind the elevated corridor is to allow long-distance vehicles to travel uninterrupted on the flyover while local traffic continues to use the surface road. Officials believe this approach could significantly reduce travel time and congestion for daily commuters.

Extension Toward Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Pune–Shirur highway is also planned to extend further toward Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The route will bypass Ahilyanagar to avoid urban traffic.

The stretch between Shirur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is expected to cover around 192 kilometres, with an estimated investment of ₹15,000 crore. The proposed highway will be developed as a six-lane corridor, and its detailed project report has already been prepared.

Palakhi Routes and Other Road Connectivity

The Union Minister also revealed that he plans to inspect the Palakhi pilgrimage routes next month. Their inauguration is expected to be carried out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi once the upgrades are completed.

In addition, the corridor connected to the Atal Setu will eventually link with the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. The connection is estimated to cost around ₹5,000 crore.

Gadkari also commented on the progress of the Mumbai–Goa Highway, stating that 95 percent of the project has been completed. However, he made it clear that he would not inaugurate the highway because it was not completed within the scheduled timeline.

Metro Expansion Considered in Highway Design

Looking ahead, the minister emphasised that infrastructure projects should account for future public transport expansion. As metro services are expected to extend toward suburban and rural areas, Gadkari instructed engineers to design flyover pillars in a way that accommodates potential metro routes.

A separate highway corridor is also planned between Nashik Phata and Khed, which is expected to become an important transport link in the region.

The commissioner of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation informed the minister that a future metro corridor could run from Nashik Phata to Chakan. In response, Gadkari suggested that metro planning should also be integrated into flyover projects planned on the Hadapsar–Yavat and Nanhe–Ravet routes.

Key Project Details

Pune–Shirur Highway

Total length: approximately 54 km

Estimated cost: ₹7,515 crore

31-km flyover between Kharadi and Vitthalwadi

Planned as a six-lane elevated corridor

Pune–Yavat Highway

Total length: about 32 km

Estimated cost: ₹5,265 crore

Six-lane elevated road

Future metro integration planned

Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur Corridor

Total length: about 26 km

Estimated cost: roughly ₹4,000 crore

Nashik Phata–Khed Highway

Estimated cost: ₹7,808 crore

Service roads on both sides

Planned ten-lane highway

93 percent of land acquisition already completed

Remaining land acquisition expected to finish by 25 March

A metro route has also been proposed along this corridor

Nanhe–Ravet Flyover

Total length: 32 km

Estimated cost: ₹6,000 crore

Planned six-lane road

Authorities have been instructed to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR)

New Mumbai–Pune Expressway Concept

Another proposal under consideration involves a new greenfield road running parallel to the existing Mumbai–Pune Expressway. The suggested alignment stretches between Pagote and Chowk, creating an additional high-speed corridor between the two cities.

This route is also expected to link traffic coming from Atal Setu to the Pune Ring Road, providing a smoother connection for vehicles entering the Pune region.

With the development of this new infrastructure, officials believe the travel time between Mumbai and Pune could drop to nearly one and a half hours.

Meanwhile, work on the “Missing Link” project near Lonavala on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is progressing, with completion targeted for May 2026.