New highway proposed to ease Pune traffic congestion

Maharashtra's public works department has proposed a new highway to ease traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The plan includes building a four-lane highway stretching about 135 kilometers, connecting key areas such as Shirur, Chakan, and JNPT (Uran). The estimated cost of the project is ₹12,000 crore. This new highway aims to reduce traffic on the busy Shikrapur-Chakan-Talegaon-Lonavala corridor. This area is heavily trafficked because it connects major industrial zones in Chakan and Shirur. The current roads often face bottlenecks, leading to delays and increased transportation costs. According to R Y Patil, an executive engineer in the department, the highway will connect to the National Highway near Vadodara. It will create a faster route to Mumbai and relieve many daily commuters. The project is awaiting final approval from the state cabinet. The proposed highway will be built under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model. It will feature four lanes, eight bypasses, and a tunnel at Khandala ghat, ensuring a smoother ride without steep slopes. Authorities expect this new route to cut traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad by nearly 80%. Once approved, land acquisition is expected to take about one year, followed by two-and-a-half years of construction. The project is currently under review for environmental clearance. If it goes ahead, it will provide better connectivity for industries and agriculture in the region, boost economic growth, and improve urban traffic flow by redirecting heavy vehicles away from city roads. The highway project will be built in two phases. The first phase will cover a 60-kilometer stretch focusing on the busiest sections, while the second phase will complete the remaining 75 kilometers. Once completed, this new corridor could significantly enhance transportation in the area.