Pune: New Highway Worth ₹12,000 Crore Proposed to Relieve Traffic Congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad
In a significant move to address the growing traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has proposed a new four-lane highway connecting Shirur, Chakan, Talegaon, Shiroli, Karjat, and JNPT (Uran). The 135-kilometre-long project, estimated to cost ₹12,000 crore, aims to provide an alternative route for vehicles traveling between from Marathwada to Mumbai, thereby reducing the burden on city roads.
The proposed highway is expected to decongest the heavily used Shikrapur-Chakan-Talegaon-Lonavala corridor, which currently faces severe traffic bottlenecks due to major industrial zones in Chakan and Shirur. The new route will offer a direct and faster connection to Mumbai, benefiting thousands of daily commuters and transporters.
According to R Y Patil, Executive Engineer of the PWD, the highway will integrate with the National Highway near Vadodara and provide seamless connectivity to JNPT. The project, planned under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, will include four lanes, eight bypasses, and a tunnel at the Khandala ghat section to ensure smooth travel. The estimated cost includes ₹11,500 crore for land acquisition and ₹8,500 crore for road construction.
Once approved, the project will be executed in two phases. The first phase will cover a 60-kilometre stretch addressing high-traffic areas, while the second phase will complete the remaining 75 kilometres, ensuring full connectivity between Shirur and JNPT. Authorities anticipate that the highway will reduce nearly 80% of traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, while also boosting economic growth by improving transport links for industries and agricultural trade in the region.
The proposal is currently under review by the State Environment Impact Assessment Committee and the State Infrastructure Committee, chaired by the Chief Minister. Final cabinet approval is expected soon, paving the way for land acquisition and construction to begin.
