Pune Outer Ring Road Work Accelerates: 168-km Mega Project to Reduce City Traffic and Cut Travel Time Between Mumbai and Bengaluru

Construction on the ambitious Pune Outer Ring Road project is progressing rapidly, particularly along the western corridor, nearly a year after work began. Once completed, this massive highway is expected to improve regional connectivity and significantly reduce traffic congestion within Pune city.

The Pune Outer Ring Road is planned as a large, access-controlled highway encircling the city, stretching approximately 168 km and with a width of about 110 metres. The project is estimated to cost around ₹55,000–55,600 crore and is being developed to divert long-distance traffic away from Pune’s busy internal roads.

Currently, vehicles travelling from Mumbai towards Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Bengaluru typically pass through Pune, creating heavy congestion. Once operational, the ring road will allow through-traffic to bypass the city entirely, enabling smoother journeys and reducing travel time on key inter-state routes.

Key Route and Connectivity

The western corridor of the ring road will begin at the Urse Interchange on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and extend to Shivare on the Pune–Bengaluru Highway. This direct bypass is expected to provide faster travel for vehicles moving from Mumbai towards southern Maharashtra and Karnataka.

By avoiding city roads, the ring road will also enhance connectivity for regions such as Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur, reducing delays and improving overall travel efficiency.

Major Infrastructure Planned

The Pune Outer Ring Road is being designed as a four- to six-lane access-controlled highway, with a design speed of up to 120 km per hour. Several major engineering structures are included to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow:

8 twin tunnels

7 viaducts or interchanges

More than 10 major bridges

26 underpasses

21 overpasses

9 pedestrian underpasses

These structures are planned to minimize traffic interruptions, allowing vehicles and pedestrians to cross safely without affecting highway movement. Additionally, the highway will be fenced on both sides to restrict unauthorized entry and maintain controlled access.

Project Implementation and Land Acquisition

The project is being executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and is divided into two main corridors to expedite construction:

Western Corridor: approximately 65 km

Eastern Corridor: around 103 km

Work has been further divided into five construction packages for the western corridor and seven packages for the eastern corridor to allow simultaneous progress.

Officials have reported that over 99% of the required land for the western corridor has been acquired, covering around 1,050 hectares across 38 villages, allowing construction activities to accelerate across this stretch.

Facilities for Travellers

Beyond serving as a high-speed transport corridor, the ring road will include multiple facilities for travellers and nearby communities:

Medical centres

Food courts and rest stops

Police stations

Public toilets

Petrol pumps

Authorities have also proposed tree plantations along the route to enhance the environment and provide greenery along the highway.

A Major Boost for Pune’s Future Mobility

Once complete, the Pune Outer Ring Road will play a pivotal role in reshaping traffic patterns around the city. By diverting long-distance vehicles away from Pune’s internal roads, it will help reduce congestion, shorten travel times, and create a faster corridor connecting western Maharashtra with major national highways.

With construction on the western corridor advancing steadily, the project is on track to become one of the region’s most significant infrastructure developments — promising smoother and safer journeys for both local commuters and long-distance travellers.