September 29, 2025: The six-laning of a critical 20-kilometre stretch of the Mumbai–Agra highway, between Gonde and Pimpri Sado, is now scheduled for completion by December 2026, three months ahead of its original March 2027 deadline, according to the Times of India.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has expedited the project to ensure Nashik is prepared for the expected influx of pilgrims during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which is set to take place from October 2026 to July 2028. The festival’s peak will occur during the Amrit Snan rituals in August and September 2027.
These ceremonial baths, conducted thrice at both Ramkund in Nashik city and Trimbakeshwar, are anticipated to draw record crowds, prompting the district administration to implement extensive infrastructure upgrades to manage the surge in visitors.
The Gonde–Pimpri Sado expansion is central to these preparations. The Pimpri Sado section connects to the Samruddhi Expressway near Igatpuri, which is projected to serve as a primary route for pilgrims travelling to Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. To accommodate the increased vehicular traffic, two additional lanes are being added along this stretch, officials stated.
Once completed, the upgraded highway is expected to reduce congestion significantly, providing faster and safer connectivity from Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra during the festival. The enhancement will also facilitate smoother transport for logistics, emergency services, and daily commuters in the region.
Following the conclusion of the Kumbh Mela, authorities plan to extend the highway further up to Vadpe, ensuring that the benefits of improved road capacity continue well beyond the event.
This acceleration highlights NHAI’s focus on proactive infrastructure development, aiming to balance the immediate needs of a major religious gathering with long-term improvements for regional connectivity.
Source: Swarajya
