Pune: Ajit Pawar Appeals To Nitin Gadkari For Urgent Widening Of Three Highways To Ease Traffic Congestion 

Pune, July 29, 2025: In a move to address Pune’s growing traffic congestion, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, requesting the urgent widening of three major national highways that pass through the Pune region.

In his letter, Pawar highlighted the need to expand the following highways:

• National Highway 60 (Nashik Phata to Khed): Currently a 4-lane road, should be expanded to 6 lanes.
• National Highway 65 (Hadapsar to Yavat): Also a 4-lane road, proposed to be widened to 6 lanes.
• National Highway 548D (Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur): Presently a 2-lane road, should be expanded to 4 lanes.

He pointed out that these routes are crucial as they are surrounded by educational institutions, residential zones, industrial areas, hospitals, the petroleum and automobile sectors, and commercial hubs. As a result, these roads are under immense pressure due to heavy traffic and frequent congestion, raising safety concerns for motorists.

Balwadkar

Pawar further emphasized that the vehicle load on these highways has already exceeded capacity, and immediate lane expansion is essential. This move will also facilitate smoother execution of proposed elevated corridors by providing alternate routes during construction.

IMG-20250324-WA0012

All three highways serve as key entry points into Pune city. As a result, a large number of vehicles from surrounding areas enter the city, causing major traffic bottlenecks. He stressed that the Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur route, in particular, can serve as a temporary solution until the final stage of the elevated highway tender process is completed.

Ajit Pawar urged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to approve the proposal promptly and allocate the necessary funds and administrative clearance to help resolve traffic issues in the Pune industrial belt.

IMG-20250820-WA0009

85856