Nashik is moving to expand and asphalt a critical 6.4-kilometre stretch of the Nashik–Pune highway within city limits to a 10-lane carriageway, a strategic infrastructure push aimed at easing chronic congestion ahead of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela and supporting long-term urban mobility. The proposed upgrade marks one of the most visible road investments in the lead-up to the religious event expected to attract millions of visitors, underscoring the nexus between major civic events and accelerated transport planning.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has advised pivoting from the originally envisioned white-topped surface to asphalt, a change that is expected to shorten delivery timelines and moderate project costs from an earlier provisional ₹290 crore to about ₹245 crore while still accommodating necessary land acquisition. The highway stretch from Dwarka Circle to Nashik Road is among the busiest urban corridors, serving intercity traffic toward Pune, Shirdi and the industrial belt around Sinnar, as well as internal city mobility.Urban transport analysts highlight that widening this section to 10 lanes could nearly double its vehicle throughput, reducing peak-hour bottlenecks that have long constrained economic activity and commuter experience. The dense mix of commercial activity along the route has amplified traffic loads, with freight vehicles, intercity buses and private cars often converging on the same narrow pavement. Upgrading to a broader roadway with a continuous asphalt surface promises smoother flows and reduced surface deterioration that has contributed to travel delays and safety concerns.
Officials from the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the NHAI acknowledge that the accelerated timeline reflects pressures linked to the multi-year Simhastha Kumbh Mela preparations, which have prompted a suite of infrastructure initiatives city-wide. Beyond national highway upgrades, local planners are resurfacing arterial roads, improving junctions and coordinating with state and central agencies to manage anticipated traffic flows. These efforts align with broader plans to strengthen Nashik’s urban transport backbone ahead of 2027, when large pilgrim movements will stress both intra-city and inter-city links.However, transportation experts caution that widening alone will not fully resolve underlying mobility challenges unless complemented by systemic traffic management, junction re-engineering and support for alternative travel modes. Without concurrent investment in public transport and non-motorised mobility options, broader road corridors risk attracting more cars, a phenomenon known as induced demand that can offset capacity gains. Environmental groups and urban planners also emphasise integrating green infrastructure — such as stormwater management, roadside landscaping and pollution mitigation measures — into such large transport projects to ensure resilience and sustainability.
Local business leaders have welcomed the proposed improvements, noting that reduced congestion can enhance logistics efficiency and support economic growth in Nashik’s expanding manufacturing and services sectors. With formal approval still pending from the NHAI, authorities expect construction to be fast-tracked, balancing engineering exigencies with the urgency of event-related deadlines.As the city positions itself for one of the largest religious congregations in India, the highway upgrade will be a litmus test for how infrastructure delivery intersects with urban liveability and long-term transport planning. The focus now is on ensuring high-quality execution and integrating this expansion into a broader, climate-resilient mobility strategy for Nashik.
