Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, on Thursday assured that the state government will allocate the required funds for land acquisition to ensure the timely progress of major infrastructure projects, particularly those aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the rapidly growing Pune–Pimpri-Chinchwad region.
Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during a discussion on increasing traffic congestion and connectivity issues, Fadnavis highlighted the government’s focus on strengthening transport infrastructure through new road networks, metro corridors, and ring road developments.
Fadnavis said the state government is committed to ensuring that financial resources are made available wherever required for land acquisition to support critical infrastructure projects.
“The state government will make available the funds needed for land acquisition. In some cases, the municipal corporations will also have to contribute, and we will coordinate to ensure the work moves forward,” he said.
He emphasised that efficient and timely land acquisition plays a crucial role in completing large transport and connectivity projects that are expected to ease congestion in the expanding urban corridor around Pune.
During the discussion, Madhuri Misal, Minister of State for Urban Development, informed the House that the government is undertaking strategic planning to tackle traffic challenges across the Pune–Pimpri Chinchwad belt.
According to Misal, several infrastructure initiatives such as road widening, metro connectivity and ring road projects are currently underway or in advanced stages of planning. She added that improving connectivity in Pune’s fast-growing IT and industrial hubs remains a major priority to prevent infrastructure bottlenecks similar to those seen in other major technology centres.
The government is also planning new road networks across the region, including 18-metre and 24-metre-wide roads, to improve connectivity. Infrastructure works aimed at easing congestion are already progressing in areas such as Wakad, Tathawade and Punawale. Additionally, road connectivity between Bhumkar Bridge and Navale Bridge is being developed to improve traffic movement.
Misal further informed the Assembly that a proposal worth around ₹3,660 crore has been submitted for the Nere–Ravet Bridge Project, while the eight-lane corridor between Nashik Phata and Khed has already received approval.
She also noted that metro expansion in the region is nearing completion, with corridors from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to Phugewadi and from Phugewadi to District Court almost finished, with around 98 percent of the work completed.
In addition, the government plans to introduce artificial intelligence-based smart traffic signal systems to improve traffic management across the metropolitan region. Misal said land acquisition for several key road stretches, including the Bhosari–Indrayani river corridor, has reached nearly 70 percent completion, and the remaining process will move ahead once funds are allocated.
Work on multiple packages of the ring road project being implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has also begun, while land acquisition for the inner ring road planned by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) is currently underway.
Misal also assured the Assembly that encroachments along major roads will be addressed and necessary instructions will be issued to concerned authorities to help reduce traffic congestion in the region.
Source: Mid-day
