Pune-Nashik Highway Upgrade to Cut Travel Time to 20 Minutes; Land Acquisition in Final Stage

Pune, 3rd September 2025: The 30-kilometer stretch of the Pune-Nashik highway between Nashik Phata and Rajgurunagar (Khed) is set for a major upgrade that promises to slash travel time from the current 90–120 minutes to just 20 minutes.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is carrying out the tender process, which will be opened on September 25. Ahead of this, NHAI has directed the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and the District Collector’s Office to complete at least 90 percent of the required land acquisition.

“The tender process is being implemented by NHAI, and the deadline is September 25. Before that, 90 percent land acquisition is required. The actual work will start as soon as the land acquisition is done,” said Sanjay Kadam, Project Director, NHAI.

Land Acquisition in Progress
The project requires around 14 hectares of land, of which 9.74 hectares spread across seven villages—Nanekarwadi, Waki Khurd, Waki Budruk, Chimbli, Kuruli, Medankarwadi, and parts of Chakan—will come under PMRDA’s jurisdiction. Around 150 landowners are impacted in this area.

PMRDA officials said land is being acquired using Transferable Development Rights (TDR) or Floor Area Index (FSI) benefits wherever possible to expedite the process. In Pimpri-Chinchwad, most of the land in Bhosari and Moshi has already been acquired by the municipal corporation through TDR and FSI, while the state government’s financial assistance has been sought for the remaining plots.

Project Aims and Cost
The project involves widening the existing Pune-Nashik highway and constructing an elevated road to ease traffic congestion, especially on the busy Chakan-MIDC stretch. Last year, the Centre approved funding of Rs 7,827 crore for the project.

Officials emphasized that actual construction cannot begin until at least 80 percent of the land acquisition is complete. At a recent meeting chaired at the Chief Minister’s level, assurances were given that acquisition would be completed before October.

Key Project Details
Length: 30 km
Land Acquisition Required: 14 hectares
Estimated Cost: Rs 7,827 crore
Entry/Exit Corridors: 10
Tender Opening Date: September 25

Other Infrastructure Works Underway
Alongside the Pune-Nashik highway upgrade, several other road widening projects are in progress, including Balewadi to Shedge Vasti, Surya Hospital to Thakar Vasti, and Nande-Maan Road. The much-awaited Pune Ring Road is also under construction, with land acquisition nearly complete at several stretches. Collectively, these projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and support the region’s rapid industrial and residential growth.