Pune: State To Build ‘Access Control Grid’ For 8-Hour Travel Across Maharashtra: Eknath Shinde

Pune, 7th June 2025: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday (6th June) announced an ambitious statewide infrastructure project aimed at drastically reducing travel time across Maharashtra. Inspired by the success of the Samruddhi Mahamarg—which cut travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from 18 hours to just 8—the state now plans to develop an “Access Control Grid” of highways, enabling end-to-end travel across Maharashtra within eight hours.

Shinde made the announcement while speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new executive committee of CREDAI Pune Metro. Also present at the event were CREDAI President Manish Jain, former president Ranjit Naiknavare, along with Satish Magar and Lalitkumar Jain.

He said the Mumbai-Pune Expressway had already transformed connectivity and boosted the growth of the IT and services sectors in Pune, which in turn fueled a boom in real estate development. “Now, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is bringing about another wave of change. Building on that model, the state will soon implement an access-controlled highway grid, allowing travel from any corner of the state to another within just eight hours,” Shinde stated.

The government also intends to mirror the development models of Mumbai and Thane in Pune, with ongoing projects like metro expansion and road improvements. “Public transport is being strengthened and will increasingly be adopted by citizens. This will reduce the number of small vehicles on the roads and ease traffic congestion,” he added.

On the issue of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (PMRDA) long-pending development plan, currently stuck in litigation, Shinde assured swift governmental intervention to resolve the matter. “We will make every effort to ensure Pune’s roads are pothole-free and that citizens face minimal inconvenience,” he said.

Addressing concerns raised by the real estate sector, Shinde promised expedited permissions for developers. “We will take prompt steps to address issues faced by builders and ensure that all necessary approvals are granted in a timely manner,” he assured.

The government’s larger vision, Shinde emphasized, is to ensure balanced, well-connected, and sustainable development across Maharashtra by improving transport infrastructure, streamlining regulations, and encouraging private sector participation.