Maharashtra Approves Road Works Worth ₹1.50 Lakh Crore for 2026

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on December 13, 2023, that road works valued at ₹1.50 lakh crore have been approved for the state of Maharashtra, with construction set to commence in 2026. This significant investment aims to enhance infrastructure and reduce travel times across key routes in the region. Gadkari made these remarks during a visit to the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur, where he attended the centenary celebration of the Vidhan Parishad.

The Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) will lead the construction of a new expressway connecting Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with a projected cost of ₹16,318 crore. This new route is expected to cut travel time between Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to just two hours, while the journey from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Nagpur will take approximately two and a half hours.

Major Infrastructure Projects Planned

In addition to the new expressway, Gadkari highlighted several other key projects. The ground-breaking ceremony for the Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur Elevated Road, which will cost ₹4,207 crore, is scheduled to take place after local body elections. Furthermore, the detailed project report (DPR) for the Hadapsar-Yavat Elevated Road is currently in progress, with construction slated to begin post-elections.

The Union Minister also specified that road works valued at ₹50,000 crore have been approved for the Pune region alone. Among these developments is a parallel expressway to the existing Pune-Mumbai expressway, estimated at ₹15,000 crore. This new route is anticipated to reduce travel time between Pune and Mumbai to just one and a half hours, while the overall travel time from Mumbai to Bengaluru is projected to be five and a half hours.

Gadkari emphasized the importance of these projects for Maharashtra’s economic development, stating that the investments will not only improve connectivity but also create job opportunities and stimulate local economies. The upcoming infrastructure improvements are expected to significantly enhance the travel experience for commuters and contribute to the overall growth of the region.

With these ambitious plans set to roll out in the coming years, Maharashtra is poised for substantial advancements in its transportation network, aligning with broader national goals for improved infrastructure and connectivity.