Pune: PMRDA To Initiate Road Connectivity Projects To Link Highways; Rs 3,000 Crore Budget Plan Unveiled
Pune, 13th May 2025: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to improve road connectivity by linking major highways within its jurisdiction. The project, expected to cost between ₹2,500 crore to ₹3,000 crore, will primarily focus on easing traffic congestion on highways such as Satara, Ahilyanagar, and Solapur. Administrative approval has already been granted for road projects in 20 to 25 villages, and preliminary work has commenced in certain areas.
The PMRDA region spans 6,246.26 square kilometers, covering nine talukas and 697 villages. The authority had earlier developed a Draft Development Plan (DP) for the entire region. However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed the PMRDA to withdraw the DP and notify the court accordingly. Despite this directive, the plan has not yet been officially scrapped, and the PMRDA is currently working on the necessary procedures.
During a review meeting, CM Fadnavis emphasized the need to expand road widths in anticipation of future development. Acting on his directive, the PMRDA has outlined a strategy to create a new network of connecting roads that will link state and national highways passing through the region.
The upcoming road projects will prioritize cement concrete roads, aiming for durability and reduced maintenance. Additionally, the projects will include the construction of stormwater drains and cable ducts, a move intended to minimize the frequent digging of roads for utility installations.
In the first phase, the focus will be on the repair and maintenance of existing roads. Simultaneously, priority will be given to proposed roads listed in the regional development plan. The work will be divided into multiple packages, and land acquisition will be expedited to avoid delays. Efforts will also be made to ensure that newly developed roads are wider to accommodate anticipated traffic growth.
