Maharashtra To Build Rs 10,000 Crore Pune-Shirur Elevated Road, Linking Samruddhi Expressway

In a significant move to enhance road infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion, the Maharashtra state government has approved linking the 53 km elevated, six-lane Pune to Shirur Road with the Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Expressway via Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The expressway will begin from the Pune Bypass at Kesnand (Wagholi) and Lonikand, forming a crucial link that will boost connectivity across key regions.

The Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), in partnership with the state's public works department (PWD), will oversee the project.

Estimated to cost Rs 9,565 crore, the development will include Rs 7,515 crore for the Pune-Shirur Road and Rs 2,050 crore for upgrading the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Road via the Ahmednagar Bypass.

The upgraded route is expected to significantly reduce travel time and alleviate congestion, particularly in areas like Yerawada, Kharadi, Wagholi, Lonikand, Shikrapur, and Shirur.

According to officials, the new expressway will have six levels and span approximately 250 km, providing multiple entry and exit points to cities like Shirur, Ahmednagar, Nevasa, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

A PWD official stated that the project will be executed in six stages, and work is expected to commence within two years as per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024. In case of delays, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) may consider taking over the project, reported Free Press Journal.

Once completed, the expressway will provide seamless connectivity and reduce pressure on existing road networks, contributing to economic growth and facilitating smoother travel across Maharashtra.