Pune: Katraj–Kondhwa Road Widening Project Gains Momentum; Land Acquisition Funded, Phase One Near Completion
Pune, April 12, 2026: The long-awaited Katraj–Kondhwa road widening project in Pune has gained significant momentum, with substantial funds allocated for land acquisition and the first phase nearing completion.
Recognizing the growing traffic importance of the Katraj–Kondhwa stretch—which connects two national highways and handles heavy vehicular movement—the state government has sanctioned special funding for land acquisition. The project is being expedited under the directives of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Currently, the road witnesses traffic exceeding 15,000 vehicles per hour, with a considerable share of heavy vehicles. In the absence of alternative routes such as the proposed PMR Ring Road and the Katraj–Khadi Machine–Vadki bypass, vehicles traveling via Bopdev Ghat and Dive Ghat are heavily dependent on this stretch.
Rapid residential and commercial development in the surrounding areas, along with the rise of large warehouses, has further aggravated traffic congestion. In response, administrative processes related to the project are being fast-tracked, with a target to develop a 50-meter-wide road in the first phase by June 2026.
Out of the proposed 84-meter-wide Development Plan (DP) road, the initial phase will focus on constructing a 50-meter-wide corridor. The land acquisition process, being executed jointly by the municipal administration and the district collector’s office, has reached its final stages.
Field-level work, including boundary marking and enumeration of fruit-bearing and other trees, commenced on April 7, 2026, through coordinated efforts of multiple departments. The acquisition covers approximately 52,630 sq. meters across 129 properties along a 3.5 km stretch.
A joint committee has been formed under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and District Collector Jitendra Dudi, with regular reviews underway. The final award proposal has been submitted to the state government and approval is expected soon.
Financially, the project has received a major boost, with approximately ₹140 crore sanctioned by the state government and an additional ₹300 crore allocated by the Pune Municipal Corporation for land acquisition.
The 50-meter road design includes the main carriageway, service roads on both sides, stormwater drains (U-drains), and a grade separator at Mauli Nagar. The final 84-meter plan will incorporate parking spaces, फुटpaths, cycle tracks, utility ducts, and sewage systems.
In the 2026–27 budget, ₹85 crore has been earmarked for the project. Around 32% of the work has already been completed, with efforts underway to expedite the remaining construction.
Meanwhile, a flyover being constructed by the National Highways Authority of India at Rajs Chowk is expected to extend up to 260 meters. To facilitate its landing and ensure smooth traffic diversion, service roads spanning approximately 400 meters are being developed, with partial work already completed.
Officials stated that the accelerated land acquisition and coordinated efforts between the municipal corporation and the state government are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and improve the overall quality of life for residents in the area.
