NHAI Approves Rs 604 Crore Service Road Project On Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway To Ease Pune’s Traffic Woes

In a significant move to address Pune’s worsening traffic congestion, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved a Rs 604 crore project to construct a 32.4-kilometre service road along the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) according to a report by Pune Pulse.

The road, which will stretch from Khed-Shivapur to Ravet, is expected to improve road safety, decongest key bottlenecks, and provide a smoother commuting experience for local travellers.

The construction is scheduled to commence in March 2025, with an estimated completion time of two years.

Pune’s road network, particularly NH-48, experiences severe congestion, with an estimated 2.1 lakh vehicles using the stretch daily.

The increasing volume of traffic, particularly at major choke points such as Narhe, Navale Bridge, Warje, Chandani Chowk, and Ravet, has made commuting in the city increasingly difficult.

To counter this issue, the service road will act as an alternative route for local traffic, allowing smaller vehicles to bypass the main carriageway, thereby reducing congestion.

Authorities anticipate that at least one lakh vehicles will benefit daily from this additional infrastructure, cutting down travel time by approximately 20 minutes.

Designed primarily for local commuters and smaller vehicles, it is expected to provide a much-needed relief to residents of Pune and neighbouring areas who face daily traffic snarls on NH-48.

The initiative is also set to enhance road safety by minimising the interaction between high-speed highway traffic and slower-moving local vehicles.

Additionally, it will contribute to fuel efficiency and reduced travel costs due to smoother traffic movement.

Land acquisition for the project is already in its final stages. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has completed 90 per cent of the land acquisition, while the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is working to finalise the remaining 10 per cent.

The construction will be executed in three distinct phases, starting with the section between Khed-Shivapur and the new Katraj Tunnel, followed by the Warje to Balewadi stretch, and finally the Wakad to Ravet section.

Once the groundwork is finalised and construction begins in March 2025, authorities expect the project to be completed within two years, significantly improving Pune’s transportation infrastructure.

By offering an alternative route for local traffic, the service road will ease pressure on NH-48 and contribute to a more efficient and safer commuting experience for thousands of daily travellers.