New 134-Km Neral-Shirur Highway To Reduce Mumbai-Pune Traffic Congestion

Pune, 17th May 2026: In a major infrastructure push aimed at easing growing traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Pune-Ahilyanagar highway, the Maharashtra government has given in-principle approval for the construction of a new 134-km four-lane highway connecting Neral in Raigad district to Shirur in Pune district.

The proposed highway will begin at Neral and pass through Vandre, Pait, Pabal and Malathan before reaching Shirur. The new corridor is expected to provide a major alternative route for vehicles travelling from Pune, Ahilyanagar and the Marathwada region towards Mumbai and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA).

At present, a large volume of traffic heading towards Mumbai passes through Pune city, resulting in heavy congestion on the Pune-Shirur stretch on a daily basis. Officials believe the new highway will divert a significant portion of this traffic directly towards Neral and Mumbai, thereby reducing the burden on Pune city roads.

The project is also expected to benefit key industrial belts including Chakan, Talegaon, Ranjangaon, Supa and the Khed Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Faster transportation and improved connectivity are likely to reduce logistics costs and boost industrial investment and employment opportunities in the region.

In another major connectivity boost, officials said the proposed eight-lane greenfield corridor project is expected to reduce the Pune-Bengaluru travel distance by around 93 kilometres and save nearly five to six hours of travel time once completed.

The state government has approved approximately Rs 1,220 crore towards land acquisition for the Neral-Shirur highway project. However, officials acknowledged that obtaining environmental clearances could prove challenging as parts of the proposed route pass through forest areas and eco-sensitive zones. As a result, the actual commencement of construction may take several years.

The highway will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar reportedly described the project as an important infrastructure initiative for the state.

Who Will Benefit Most From The Project?

• Pune-Mumbai commuters are expected to benefit from reduced congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, potentially leading to faster travel.

• Residents of Shirur and Chakan will get a shorter and more convenient alternative route to Mumbai.

• Travellers from Ahilyanagar and Marathwada will be able to reach Mumbai directly without entering Pune city.

• Industries in Chakan, Talegaon, Ranjangaon, Supa and Khed SEZ are likely to see reduced transportation costs and improved logistics efficiency.

• Motorists using the Pune-Nagar highway may experience reduced traffic congestion due to diversion of heavy vehicle movement.