Maharashtra PWD to Set Up 400 Highway Rest Stops in 3 Months with CSR Support
Maharashtra PWD to Set Up 400 Highway Rest Stops in 3 Months with CSR Support
New amenities to include toilets, food outlets; mobile app and user fee model in the works
In a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at enhancing travel convenience, Maharashtra’s Public Works Department (PWD) is set to build 400 highway rest stops across the state within the next three months. What makes this initiative stand out is its zero-cost model for the government — the entire project will be funded and maintained through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from private companies.
Each of these rest hubs, spaced every 30 to 40 kilometres along key state and national highways, will offer clean public toilets, food outlets, and basic travel amenities. The move is in response to growing concerns from travellers over the absence of clean and accessible sanitation facilities, especially on high-traffic routes like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
“This project won’t strain the state’s finances. We’re inviting private players to build and maintain these facilities under CSR, and we are also working with self-help groups to ensure daily upkeep,” said a senior PWD official.
The project gained momentum following a Bombay High Court directive in April 2025, which came after a Pune-based activist filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the lack of highway toilets despite earlier government assurances.
The PWD has already identified priority sites in every district, with 8–10 rest stops planned per district. A few such facilities, including one near Ekvira Temple in Lonavla, are already operational, and final approvals for others are underway.
Regular commuters and activists have welcomed the move. “With growing road connectivity, basic services like toilets must keep pace. This step will be a relief for women and families in particular,” said Megha Sonawane, a biker and frequent traveller.
To ensure sustainability, the PWD plans to allow nominal user fees and lease space to food outlets. These revenue streams will support long-term maintenance. The department is also developing a mobile app — likely integrated with Google Maps — to help travellers locate nearby rest stops easily.
Despite the optimism, concerns remain about long-term cleanliness and upkeep. Activists have called for independent monitoring to prevent these facilities from deteriorating. “We’ve seen such toilets fall into neglect before. Regular oversight is crucial,” said Seema Mohopatra, a sanitation advocate.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) confirmed that restrooms at Khalapur and Talegaon toll plazas are operational, with more to follow under the Mumbai-Pune Expressway expansion plan.
The PWD hopes this public-private partnership will set a new standard in inclusive, traveller-friendly infrastructure across the state.
