Pune’s ambitious 169-km ring road project has hit a financial hurdle, with district authorities seeking an additional ₹1,220 crore from the state government to complete compensation for landowners. Officials confirmed that while land acquisition is nearing completion, funds are falling short at a crucial stage of the project, which is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
The demand was raised during a recent high-level review of key infrastructure projects held at the chief minister’s war room. Senior officials emphasised that while progress has been steady, further funding is essential to ensure fair and timely payments to farmers who have parted with their land. Without these funds, acquisition delays could impact construction timelines, they warned. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which is executing the project, is developing a 110-metre-wide corridor designed to divert heavy vehicles away from inner-city roads and connect directly to national highways. This is expected to not only reduce traffic snarls but also cut vehicular emissions, aligning with the broader push for sustainable urban mobility.
According to acquisition officers, about 90 per cent of the total 1,763 hectares required has already been secured, with 97 per cent completed in the western corridor and 84 per cent in the eastern section. However, outstanding approvals for several villages remain, and additional land is still required around key proposed interchanges in Maval, Mulshi, Bhor, Khed and Purandar talukas. Officials clarified that compensation is the single largest expenditure at this stage and requires immediate disbursement. So far, the state has sanctioned over ₹7,500 crore for the project, and a portion of that remains available. Yet officials argue that the compensation requirements have escalated due to revised land valuations and pending approvals, creating the funding gap. State authorities have assured continued support but are examining the demand within the broader framework of budget allocations.
Urban planning experts say the Pune ring road holds transformative potential for the region’s mobility and economic growth. By providing a bypass for freight and long-distance travel, the corridor could substantially decongest arterial city roads, reduce commute times, and improve air quality. However, delays in acquisition could escalate costs further and postpone these benefits. The project is also expected to catalyse industrial development along its stretch, with improved logistics connectivity drawing investment into surrounding areas. Civic planners stress that timely delivery is critical to ensuring that rapid urban expansion is matched with robust infrastructure, preventing traffic gridlocks and unchecked emissions in the future.
With most of the land already secured, officials insist that the final financial push from the state government will determine whether the project maintains its momentum or faces avoidable delays.
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