Mumbai-Pune Expressway Widening Put on Hold Amid Funding Constraints

Ziya Khan 5 days ago

34 1 minute read

Pune: The proposed widening of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has been temporarily halted, as the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to prioritize other infrastructure projects due to funding limitations, according to senior MSRDC officials following the budget assembly session on Wednesday. The widening proposal was not even discussed during the meeting.“While the expansion of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is important, our current focus is on the Pune Ring Road project (₹43,000 crore) and the Jalna-Nanded Expressway project (₹24,703 crore).

We are also keen on the construction of nine creek bridges (₹9,000 crore) in the Konkan region,” a senior official told TOI.The proposed widening project, estimated to cost ₹6,000 crore, would require approximately 100 hectares of land and is expected to take around three years to complete. In contrast, the combined cost of the Pune Ring Road and Jalna-Nanded Expressway projects is projected to be about ₹68,000 crore. The expansion would have transformed the critical 94-km corridor from six lanes to eight.“The need for expansion was first recognized in 2002 when the expressway was completed. With increasing vehicle movement between Mumbai and Pune, the project has become more essential than ever.

However, funding constraints are delaying the proposal,” the official explained.Sources within MSRDC indicated that while the project remains on their agenda, the timeline for implementation is uncertain. “We are carefully balancing multiple infrastructure needs against our limited financial resources,” the official added.Transport experts have warned that this delay could exacerbate existing traffic challenges on one of Maharashtra’s busiest routes.

“Each year of delay compounds the strain on infrastructure,” noted an urban mobility consultant. The expressway has seen numerous accidents and traffic jams. “The exponential growth of vehicles necessitates proactive infrastructure planning,” said Megha Shimpi, a regular commuter.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a 94-kilometer access-controlled expressway, consisting of six lanes, built in 2002.
Traffic volume between Mumbai and Pune has surged significantly in recent years, with around 150,000 vehicles commuting daily.
The recently completed Atal Setu has reduced the travel distance between the two cities, likely contributing to increased traffic. In response, MSRDC plans to extend the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.