The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning to expand the old Mumbai-Pune highway from four lanes to six, citing rising traffic volumes and growing residential and industrial development across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune Metropolitan Region.
The proposed project will cover the route connecting the two cities through Khopoli and Talegaon, with an estimated investment of Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 6,000 crore. The cost is expected to be recovered through toll revenue, according to sources.
MSRDC Managing Director Anil Gaikwad confirmed that the corporation is preparing a detailed project report (DPR), although the highway is owned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
“The old Mumbai-Pune highway is owned by the National Highways Authority of India, but the MSRDC has toll rights on the highway until 2035. With traffic increasing, we want to expand it and are working on a detailed project,” Gaikwad said.
Sources indicated that the existing toll collection arrangement, which runs until 2035, may be extended by another 10 to 15 years to help finance the expansion. The plan could include additional road connections and improvements to existing stretches, particularly around the congested Lonavala and Khandala ghat sections. The final design will be determined after the DPR is completed.
Spanning approximately 150-156 km, the highway was initially a two-lane route before being upgraded to four lanes. It later became part of National Highway 48 in 2010, following the development of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The proposed widening is expected to strengthen access to emerging growth centres such as Karjat, Neral, Khopoli and Patalganga.
Landscape architect Reshma Sathe highlighted the region’s development potential but cautioned against ecological damage.
“The old Mumbai-Pune highway passes through the scenic hills and valleys of the Sahyadri range. The proposed expansion is particularly important as the epicentre of Mumbai is shifting eastwards. The potential of the entire region remains untapped, and growth is likely to be phenomenal. Two large industrial areas — Taloja and Patalganga MIDC — flank this belt, while improved connectivity to Karjat could pave the way for large-scale development,” she said.
She also stressed the need to protect the environment: “As a landscape architect, I am also concerned about the disturbance to natural flora and fauna. Development must be sensitive and strike a balance between infrastructure needs and the environment,” she said.
MSRDC has invited bids to appoint a consultant for the DPR. Separately, it has proposed expanding the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from six to 10 lanes.
Source: Hindustan Times
Pic Credit: Money Control
