Pune’s Ring Road to Connect with Rail Network; Ajit Pawar Announces Talegaon–Uruli Kanchan Route via Chakan

Reported by Amit Singh and Varad Bhatkhande
Bhosari, 17th June 2025: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, while addressing a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) meeting in Bhosari, announced major steps to reduce Pune’s traffic congestion. He revealed that Pune’s Ring Road will be integrated with a dedicated railway route to ease the load on Pune Railway Junction.

“The traffic issue in Pune district is severe. Without the Ring Road, it cannot be resolved. The project cost has now reached Rs 25,000 crore, and new tenders have been issued,” Pawar said. He added that a separate railway line from Talegaon Dabhade to Uruli Kanchan via Chakan and Ranjangaon is being planned in coordination with the Railways. “Once this becomes functional, travel will be much more convenient.”

Highlighting the city’s growing population of migrant workers and students, Pawar emphasized the continuing importance of railways for long-distance travel. He said that connecting industrial hubs like Chakan to the railway network is essential for balanced development.

Pawar also noted that Pune’s traffic woes are escalating, with no signs of relief. He cited key hotspots such as Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Hinjawadi, Chakan, and major highways including the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Pune–Nashik Highway, Pune–Ahilyanagar Highway, Katraj–Dehu Road Bypass, and Pune–Solapur Highway. He reiterated that the Ring Road, which will bypass the city, is critical to solving these issues.

While speaking to Punekar News, a Railway official said that a detailed survey for the Talegaon–Urli railway line was conducted in December 2024 by Pune Division in coordination with other railway agencies, and the comprehensive report has been submitted to the Railway Board.

The official explained that the approximately 70 km long line will pass through key industrial hubs such as Chakan and Ranjangaon. The route has been designated exclusively for freight operations, and only goods trains will operate on this corridor once it is completed.