Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway is advancing towards final approval, promising to slash travel time between the two hubs to just three hours. With a staggering budget of ₹28,429 crore, the project is being positioned as a powerful engine for economic growth. However, this rapid progress casts a significant shadow over the parallel Pune-Nashik Semi High-Speed Rail project, sparking a critical debate on Maharashtra’s long-term developmental and environmental priorities for building equitable cities.
This mega-project, spanning 133 kilometres, is designed to be a vital artery connecting the industrial zones of Pune, Ahilyanagar, and Nashik. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has finalised the Detailed Project Report, which includes twelve major flyovers and key interchanges. Officials project a three-year completion timeline post-cabinet clearance, heralding a new era of logistical efficiency and industrial synergy that is expected to benefit manufacturing and trade across the region.
Beneath the surface of economic optimism lies a pressing environmental and social query. The project necessitates the acquisition of 1545 hectares of land, raising questions about its impact on local ecosystems and agricultural communities. The pivot towards road infrastructure is further underscored by a June 2023 directive from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to evaluate repurposing land initially earmarked for the greener, more accessible high-speed rail alternative. This move signals a potential policy shift that prioritises private vehicular traffic over mass public transport.
While proponents champion the expressway as a catalyst for growth, urban planners and environmental advocates caution that such a choice could lock the region into a carbon-intensive future, potentially undermining state and national goals for sustainable development. The decision to favour a six-lane expressway over a high-speed rail network—a mode of transport widely regarded as more energy-efficient and equitable—presents a stark choice between short-term commercial gains and long-term environmental stewardship.
As the proposal awaits its final nod from the state cabinet, the project is at a crucial juncture. The path chosen will not only redefine connectivity between Pune and Nashik but will also serve as a litmus test for the administration’s commitment to fostering a transport paradigm that is truly sustainable, inclusive, and aligned with the vision of creating future-ready, eco-friendly urban landscapes for all citizens, not just a select few.
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