The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has sought approval to include an additional 74 villages in its planning jurisdiction for the ambitious Pune Ring Road project. The proposal, if cleared, will expand MSRDC’s special planning area from 668 to 1,062 square kilometres, significantly reshaping regional development around Pune’s periphery.
In October 2024, the Urban Development Department designated MSRDC as the planning authority for 117 villages across five talukas — Haveli, Bhor, Purandar, Mulshi, and Velhe. As preparatory work on these areas advances, the agency has now requested that its authority be extended to cover adjoining villages critical for integrated planning of the 173-kilometre ring road corridor. According to officials, the expansion aims to ensure seamless coordination between the road infrastructure and emerging growth zones, particularly around the proposed Purandar International Airport and the Sonori junction. “These additional villages are essential for unified planning and to prevent unregulated development near key intersections,” an MSRDC official explained.
The new villages proposed for inclusion include Konadnapur, Sangarun, Arvi, Gaudara, Kalyan, Tanajinagar, and Moradarwadi, among others. Local gram panchayats have also expressed interest in being included under the project’s purview, recognising the potential for improved connectivity and investment. However, urban planners have urged caution, pointing to the need for comprehensive land-use studies before any expansion. “Infrastructure-led growth must be balanced with sustainable land management and equitable development. Once a region is notified as a planning area, land values rise sharply — often displacing small farmers and altering local ecosystems,” said a Pune-based urban policy expert.
The Pune Ring Road is expected to act as a catalyst for decentralised urban growth, diverting through-traffic from the city’s congested core while connecting industrial and residential hubs. Its strategic location near the Purandar airport site adds further impetus to the proposal, with policymakers viewing it as a future logistics and economic corridor for western Maharashtra. Sustainability experts emphasise that the project’s success will depend on integrating mobility planning with environmental safeguards. “A ring road of this scale should not simply prioritise vehicle movement — it must also incorporate biodiversity corridors, green buffers, and climate-resilient drainage systems,” an infrastructure consultant said.
If the state government approves MSRDC’s proposal, the expanded jurisdiction will position the agency to shape long-term growth patterns across Pune’s outer belt. For citizens, it could mean improved infrastructure and reduced congestion — provided that planning principles align with inclusivity, ecological sensitivity, and equitable access.
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