In a pivotal announcement, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed the approval of a new expressway connecting Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to Pune. The long-anticipated project, initiated 22 months ago, is set to materialize under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
Gadkari revealed this positive development during his visit to the city, extending condolences to the family of entrepreneur Vivek Deshpande. Accompanied by key figures including Shrikant Joshi, City President Shirish Boralkar, and State General Secretary Sanjay Kenekar, Gadkari emphasized the significance of this expressway for regional connectivity.
The Union Minister outlined the project’s execution under the Maharashtra Infrastructure Corporation, backed by a substantial loan of 3 thousand crores from HUDCO. He assured swift action, with formal decisions communicated to Mumbai and the Regional Office within two days.
Expressing gratitude towards Union Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Bhagwat Karad, Gadkari highlighted a recent meeting where Dr. Karad advocated for the project’s approval. Gadkari pledged prompt steps to advance the development, recognizing the route’s strategic importance.
The finalized alignment spans 225 km, reducing travel time from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to Pune to a range of two to fifteen hours. The expressway will integrate four toll booths from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to Shirur. Toll revenue will fund improvements on the existing Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to Ahmednagar road.
This infrastructure enhancement aims to streamline connectivity, enabling travelers to traverse from Nagpur to Jalna Samruddhi Mahamarg and onward to Pune from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar within four and a half hours, marking a transformative development in regional transportation.
