New 32.4 km Service Road on Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway to Ease Pune’s Traffic Woes
Pune, 8th February 2025: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved a 32.4-kilometre service road project from Khed-Shivapur to Ravet in Pune, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety. The two-lane service road, estimated to cost ₹604 crore, is scheduled to begin construction in March 2025.
This initiative comes as a response to the daily traffic load of approximately 2.1 lakh vehicles on the existing highway. The new service road is expected to cut travel time by around 20 minutes, alleviating congestion in key areas such as Narhe, Navale Bridge, Warje, Chandani Chowk, and Ravet.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has completed 90% of the land acquisition for the project, while the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is working on the remaining 10%. This joint effort highlights the project’s significance in enhancing urban infrastructure.
The service road will feature two lanes on each side of the highway, with each lane measuring 3.5 metres in width. This design is expected to benefit at least one lakh vehicles daily, easing the burden on the main expressway.
Key Benefits of the Project:
Reduced congestion on the main highway
Lower accident rates
Improved travel efficiency for smaller vehicles and local commuters
Fuel savings and enhanced overall traffic flow
NHAI Senior Engineer Subhash Ghante confirmed that the land acquisition process is in its final stages, with the tender process set to follow soon. The project is expected to be completed within two years from its commencement in March 2025.
The service road will be constructed in three phases:
Khed-Shivapur to the new Katraj tunnel
Warje to Balewadi
Wakad to Ravet
This development is part of a broader strategy to address Pune’s growing traffic issues, particularly in high-congestion areas. By providing an alternative route for local traffic, the project aims to streamline vehicular movement and enhance road safety along this crucial corridor.
