In a significant announcement aimed at improving road connectivity in Maharashtra, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has pledged a major overhaul of the crucial Pune-Kolhapur national highway. The minister assured Parliament that commuters can expect drastically improved conditions and reduced travel time within the next year.
Response to Parliamentary Concerns
The commitment came as a direct response to issues raised by Baramati MP and NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule. During a parliamentary session, Sule highlighted the persistent poor condition of the highway and the recurring accidents at the Navale bridge, which falls within her constituency. Gadkari addressed these concerns with a concrete action plan.
The Union Government has undertaken a fresh survey of the national highway stretch from Pune to Satara, Gadkari stated. He revealed that to expedite development, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has replaced the developer for the Pune-Satara road section and appointed a new one. This move is expected to speed up the long-awaited improvements.
A Rs 6000 Crore Roadmap for Development
Outlining the scale of the intervention, Gadkari announced that work worth Rs 6,000 crore will soon be undertaken on the highway. This massive investment underscores the government's focus on resolving the infrastructure bottlenecks on this key route.
One of the critical projects currently underway is the construction of a new tunnel at Khambatki Ghat. Gadkari informed that one lane of this tunnel will be opened for traffic shortly, a development poised to significantly cut down travel time between Pune and Satara. Furthermore, work on the Satara-Kolhapur stretch, which leads towards Bengaluru, is progressing after the resolution of some technical hurdles.
Focus on Accident-Prone Navale Bridge
MP Supriya Sule had specifically pointed out the danger at the Navale bridge on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway bypass, noting that accidents continue to occur despite previous safety measures. "The number of accidents has reduced, but there was a fatal accident recently. There is a need for an accident-free road," Sule emphasized.
Acknowledging the concern, Gadkari stated that while the ministry's steps have already led to a reduction in accidents, the broader improvement plan for the entire highway will address such safety blackspots holistically. The comprehensive upgrade is designed to create a safer and more efficient travel corridor.
With a new developer in place, a fresh survey completed, and a multi-crore investment plan ready for execution, the Union Minister expressed strong confidence. The condition of the Pune-Kolhapur highway will thus improve drastically in a year, he asserted, offering relief to thousands of daily commuters and commercial vehicles that rely on this vital arterial road.
