Pune: The Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has proposed a ₹12,000 crore four-lane highway to tackle increasing traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Spanning 135 kilometers, the highway will connect key locations such as Shirur, Chakan, Talegaon, Shiroli, Karjat, and JNPT (Uran), providing an alternative route for vehicles traveling between Marathwada and Mumbai. The project is currently under review, pending final approval from the state cabinet.
The proposed highway is expected to alleviate congestion on the busy Shikrapur-Chakan-Talegaon-Lonavala corridor, which experiences heavy traffic due to industrial hubs in Chakan and Shirur. Frequent traffic bottlenecks along these roads contribute to delays and higher transportation costs. By creating a direct route to Mumbai, the new highway aims to ease traffic within Pune city and enhance logistical efficiency.
As per the information provided, the highway will link to the National Highway near Vadodara and connect seamlessly to JNPT. The estimated cost breakdown includes ₹11,500 crore for land acquisition and ₹8,500 crore for construction. The project, planned under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, will feature:
A four-lane road
Eight bypasses across different villages
A tunnel at Khandala Ghat for improved gradient, similar to the Amrutanjan Bridge
Authorities estimate that the new highway will help reduce nearly 80% of the traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Once the state cabinet grants final approval, land acquisition is expected to take a year, followed by a two-and-a-half-year construction period. The project is currently being reviewed by the State Environment Impact Assessment Committee and the State Infrastructure Committee, chaired by the Chief Minister. Officials are optimistic about receiving approval soon, which would pave the way for execution.
At present, vehicles traveling between Marathwada and Mumbai rely on the congested Shikrapur-Chakan-Talegaon-Lonavala corridor, with industrial traffic exacerbating the problem during peak hours. The proposed highway will offer an alternative route via Shirur, Chakan, Talegaon, Shiroli, Karjat, and JNPT, enhancing connectivity to Panvel and Uran while boosting trade at JNPT, a major logistics hub.
In addition to decongesting Pune’s roadways, the project is expected to stimulate economic growth by improving transport links for industries in Shirur, Talegaon, and Karjat. It will also benefit agricultural trade by facilitating faster transportation of goods. By diverting heavy vehicles from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, urban traffic will improve, and commuter travel times will be significantly reduced.
The highway’s construction will be executed in two phases:
Phase 1: Covers 60 kilometers, addressing key high-traffic sections
Phase 2: Completes the remaining 75 kilometers, ensuring full connectivity from Shirur to JNPT.
Once operational, this highway is expected to transform transportation in the region, benefiting daily commuters, businesses, and industries while significantly easing traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
