Mega Highway Overhaul
In a significant push to alleviate Pune's persistent traffic woes and reduce environmental pollution, the central government is spearheading a massive
infrastructure development initiative. This plan encompasses national highway projects collectively valued at an impressive Rs 45,000 crore. A cornerstone of this ambitious undertaking is the construction of the nation's longest flyover. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasized that the central government will spearhead efforts to resolve highway traffic issues in Pune, and has urged the state government to provide crucial support by exempting Goods and Services Tax (GST), covering land acquisition costs, and waiving royalty charges on construction materials. The minister's proactive engagement includes plans to lay foundation stones for four key road projects, necessitating diligent planning and coordination with the state administration.
The Landmark 31km Flyover
The most prominent feature of this infrastructure drive is a groundbreaking 31-kilometer, six-lane elevated highway, slated to become the longest of its kind in India. This colossal project, part of a larger 53.4-kilometer elevated road from Pune to Shirur costing Rs 7,514 crore, will commence at Kharadi junction and extend towards Ranjangaon MIDC. This elevated section is designed to dramatically reduce travel time from the current one and a half hours to just 45 minutes. The construction features a multi-level design: a 7.4-kilometer flyover from Kharadi to Vithalwadi will be the first tier, accommodating regular vehicular traffic on a second level, and a Metro line on a third, optimizing space and traffic flow. This expansion is also part of a future 192-kilometer greenfield expressway corridor planned from Shirur to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, estimated at Rs 14,886 crore, further promising to connect major urban centers efficiently.
Expanding Pune's Connectivity
Beyond the record-breaking flyover, several other critical road projects are in motion to bolster Pune's connectivity. A 25-kilometer, four-lane elevated route is planned from Talegaon to Chakan, with an estimated cost of Rs 6,499 crore. Additionally, a 28-kilometer stretch from Chakan to Shikrapur will undergo six-laning, at a cost of Rs 5,232 crore. Another significant development is the Rs 5,262 crore project to build a 31.50-kilometer, six-lane elevated highway on the Pune-Solapur national highway, connecting Hadapsar to Yavat. The region's northern connectivity is also being enhanced with plans for a six-lane road and an eight-lane flyover from Nashikphata to Khed, a project valued at Rs 7,808 crore, with land acquisition for this segment nearing completion at 93% as of March 2025. The construction of a service road from Narhe to Ravet, costing Rs 1,600 crore, and a Rs 6,000-crore, 32-kilometer elevated road along the Mumbai-Bangalore bypass to manage traffic and accidents are also integral to this expansive plan.
