The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning to widen the old Mumbai-Pune highway from four lanes to six to accommodate rising traffic and support growing residential and industrial development across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune Metropolitan Region. The proposed project is estimated to cost between ₹5,000 crore and ₹6,000 crore. Read on to know more.
MSRDC Plans To Widen Old Mumbai-Pune Highway
According to reports by Hindustan Times, the expansion is expected to cover the highway connecting Mumbai and Pune via Khopoli and Talegaon, including stretches passing through areas such as Karjat, Neral and Patalganga, where township and industrial projects are gaining momentum. MSRDC managing director Anil Gaikwad told the portal that the corporation is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed expansion. Although the old highway is owned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), MSRDC holds toll collection rights on the route until 2035.
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Gaikwad said increasing traffic has made the expansion necessary. Sources indicated that MSRDC may seek an extension of its toll collection rights by another 10 to 15 years to recover the estimated project cost. The final scope, road design and proposed improvements will be decided after the DPR is completed.
The project may also include new road links and improvements to existing stretches to ease congestion and reduce travel time, particularly along the Lonavala and Khandala ghat sections. MSRDC has floated a tender to appoint a consultant to prepare the DPR.
Highway Expansion To Boost Regional Connectivity
The old Mumbai-Pune highway stretches approximately 150 to 156 km. It was initially a two-lane road before being widened to four lanes as traffic increased. Before the Mumbai-Pune Expressway opened, the journey between the two cities could take nearly five hours. The expressway, built between 1995 and 1999, helped reduce travel time and diverted a significant share of traffic from the old route. The proposed widening is expected to improve access to emerging residential and industrial hubs, particularly around Karjat, Khopoli and Patalganga. Landscape architect Reshma Sathe said better connectivity could support growth in the region, which is also home to industrial areas such as Taloja and Patalganga MIDC.
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However, she flagged concerns about the impact of construction on the Sahyadri landscape, particularly its natural flora and fauna. She said infrastructure development should balance regional growth with environmental protection. Separately, MSRDC has submitted a proposal to the state government to widen the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from its existing six lanes to 10.
Good news for daily Mumbai-Pune commuters.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons