The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will temporarily close Dive Ghat daily to facilitate controlled blasting operations as part of the Palkhi Highway widening project.
The move is critical to remove rocky terrain along the steep and accident-prone section of the NH-965 between Pune and Mohol. The blasting work is a key step in the expansion of the highway into a four-lane corridor with dedicated walkways designed to accommodate the lakhs of Warkaris who participate in the annual Palkhi pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The highway upgrade is expected to ease congestion and improve safety on one of the state’s most spiritually significant and heavily travelled routes. Authorities will release specific closure timings in advance to minimise disruption. Alternative travel routes between Hadapsar, Saswad, and nearby areas will be made available. Emergency vehicles will be allowed passage or rerouted as necessary to ensure uninterrupted access during the closure windows.
The Palkhi Marg project includes the construction of flyovers, underpasses, and service roads in addition to dedicated lanes for pedestrians. Dive Ghat, notorious for sharp curves and narrow roads, has long been a bottleneck for traffic, especially during the pilgrimage season. The blasting will allow for smoother gradients and safer road conditions. The project has received notable support from local communities, with residents in Phursungi voluntarily clearing encroachments to allow faster progress. This cooperation has helped keep the project on schedule and reduce administrative delays. Safety measures are in place to protect workers, commuters, and nearby residents during the blasting activities. Environmental initiatives, including tree plantations along the new highway, are also being implemented to maintain ecological balance.
The upgraded highway is expected to reduce travel time, improve road safety, and support tourism and local economies along the Pune–Pandharpur corridor.
