Pune: Work on 53km Pune-Shirur Elevated Highway to Begin by June-July, MSIDC Confirms
Pune is set to witness a major infrastructure boost as work on the 53.4 km Pune-Shirur six-lane elevated highway is expected to commence by June-July this year. Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) officials confirmed the completion of the second pre-bid process for the Rs 7,515-crore project.
The project, which aims to significantly reduce travel time between Pune and Shirur, will also address the persistent pothole problem on the existing route. “We are on track with the tendering process and expect to begin construction by the middle of the year,” an MSIDC official stated. The work allocation is expected in April or May, with actual construction starting after financial closure in June-July.
Deputy CM and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar highlighted the elevated highway as a key infrastructure project in his state Budget 2025-26 speech. The state cabinet had cleared the project in 2024, and it will be executed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The project will require the acquisition of 41 hectares of land and is expected to be completed in four years.
The elevated highway will transform connectivity between Pune and Shirur, eventually linking to the Samruddhi Highway and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. It will follow the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with a 30-year concession period. Minimal land acquisition is required as the elevated corridor will utilise the existing Pune-Shirur highway.
The project was transferred from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to MSIDC following an MoU signed between the central and state governments in March last year. MSIDC invited fresh bids after NHAI cancelled its earlier tender process.
Regular commuters to Shirur have expressed hope that MSIDC completes the project within the stipulated timeline. “We hope that MSIDC completes the work within the timeline,” said Shashwat Mahatme, a frequent traveller.
