Pune–Nashik Highway Upgrade To Cut Travel Time By Two Hours; Chakan Industries To Benefit
Pune–Nashik Highway Upgrade To Cut Travel Time By Two Hours; Chakan Industries To Benefit
Pune, September 4, 2025: The Pune–Nashik highway stretch from Nashik Phata to Rajgurunagar (Khed), covering 30 kilometers, is set to be upgraded, drastically reducing travel time from the current 1.5–2 hours to just 20 minutes.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the tender process, with bids opening on September 25. Ahead of this, NHAI has directed the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the District Collector’s office to complete 90% of land acquisition urgently. Around 14 hectares of land are required, mostly within PMRDA limits, covering access and exit routes along the 30-km stretch.
In a high-level meeting, assurances were given to complete land acquisition before October. However, NHAI clarified that construction can only begin once 80% of the land acquisition is achieved.
The project includes widening of the existing highway and construction of elevated corridors. The government had sanctioned ₹7,827 crore for the project last year. Once completed, traffic congestion on the Pune–Nashik highway, especially on routes connecting to the Chakan MIDC, is expected to ease significantly.
About 9.74 hectares belonging to 150 landowners within PMRDA’s jurisdiction have been reserved for acquisition. Villages such as Nanekarwadi, Waki Khurd, Waki Budruk, Chimbali, Kuruli, Medankarwadi, and parts of Chakan fall under the project area. PMRDA is expediting the process by offering TDR (Transferable Development Rights) or FSI (Floor Space Index) wherever feasible.
In Pimpri-Chinchwad areas like Bhosari and Moshi, much of the required land has already been acquired via TDR and FSI, while the remaining is being processed with financial support sought from the state government.
Project Snapshot:
- Total length: 30 km
- Villages covered: 7
- Entry/exit points: 10
- Required land acquisition: 14 hectares
- Project cost: ₹7,827 crore
- Tender deadline: September 25
Alongside this, multiple road expansion projects, including Balewadi to Shedge Vasti, Surya Hospital to Thakar Vasti, and Nande–Man Road, are underway. Work on the long-awaited Pune Ring Road is also progressing in phases, with land acquisition nearly complete in several areas. Collectively, these projects aim to streamline urban mobility and boost the region’s industrial and residential growth.
