December 18, 2025: Maharashtra is set for a major leap in road connectivity as the Centre has approved infrastructure projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore, aimed at reducing travel times, improving logistics efficiency, and easing congestion across the state. The ambitious roadmap was outlined by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and includes a second Mumbai–Pune Expressway, a new Pune–Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar expressway, and several elevated corridors in and around Pune.
At the heart of the plan is the proposed Mumbai–Pune Expressway II, a 130-km access-controlled corridor estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore. Running parallel to the existing expressway, the new route will connect Atal Setu near JNPA with Shivare Junction in Pune. Once completed, it is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune from the current 2.5–3 hours to just 90 minutes. The expressway is also expected to ease peak-hour congestion, particularly in the ghat sections where delays often stretch beyond three hours. The first stretch, from Pagote near JNPA to Chowk in Panvel, has already received official approval.
Beyond Mumbai–Pune connectivity, the expressway network is expected to have a far-reaching regional impact. Seamless high-speed corridors will make it possible to travel from Mumbai to Bengaluru in about 5.5 hours via Pune, significantly boosting business travel, tourism, and inter-city trade across western and southern India.
Another major project is the greenfield Pune–Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar expressway, with an estimated cost of Rs 16,318 crore. To be executed by MSIDC, this corridor will cut travel time between the two cities to nearly two hours. Two alignments are under evaluation—via Pune–Ahilyanagar–Sambhajinagar, and an alternative route passing through Shikrapur and Beed district. The project will also enable faster access from Sambhajinagar to Nagpur in roughly 2.5–3 hours, strengthening connectivity in Marathwada and central Maharashtra.
Pune district alone is expected to see infrastructure investments of nearly Rs 50,000 crore. Projects slated to begin within three months of local body elections include the Rs 4,207 crore Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur elevated corridor, integrating roads, flyovers, and a metro line, and the Hadapsar–Yavat elevated road, currently at the DPR stage.
