Pune is set to benefit from a major infrastructure upgrade with the approval of a 30-kilometre-long, 8-lane elevated corridor stretching from Nashik Phata to Khed. This ambitious project, approved for development on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, will entail a total investment of Rs 7,827 crore.
The new elevated corridor is designed to enhance high-speed connectivity between the industrial centres of Chakan and Bhosari along National Highway 60 (NH-60). The initiative is anticipated to significantly alleviate the traffic congestion that currently burdens the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, improving the efficiency of regional logistics and transportation. The construction plan includes a single-pier 8-lane elevated flyover, along with the upgrading of the existing road to a 4/6-lane configuration. Additionally, a 2-lane service road will be constructed on either side. The project will be executed in two segments: Package 1 from km 12.190 to km 28.925, and Package 2 from km 28.925 to km 42.113, both on NH-60 within Maharashtra.
In line with a broader strategic shift, the government has adopted a corridor-based approach to highway infrastructure development. This new methodology, which emphasises uniform standards and improved logistical efficiency, replaces the previous project-based approach focused solely on addressing local traffic issues. This corridor-based model has identified a comprehensive network of 50,000 kilometres of high-speed highways, supported by a detailed transport study using GSTN and toll data, aiming to bolster India’s economic growth towards a $30 trillion target by 2047.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has endorsed this project as part of a larger initiative involving eight National High-Speed Corridor projects across the country. Spanning a total of 936 kilometres and costing Rs 50,655 crore, these projects are expected to create approximately 4.42 crore man-days of direct and indirect employment. This significant development reflects a substantial leap forward in enhancing India’s infrastructure, promoting efficient transportation, and supporting economic growth. The Pune-Nashik elevated corridor is a key component of this vision, poised to improve logistics and reduce congestion in one of the country’s most vital transportation corridors.
