Pune Residents Intensify Calls for Mumbai-Pune Expressway Expansion After Major Traffic Disruption
In the wake of a severe 32-hour traffic standstill triggered by a tanker mishap in the ghat section on Tuesday, citizens of Pune have amplified their demands for the Maharashtra state government to greenlight a long-pending proposal to expand the Mumbai-Pune expressway into a 10-lane corridor. The incident has highlighted the critical vulnerabilities of this vital transportation artery, which sees nearly 1 lakh vehicles daily on its 94.6km stretch.
Proposal Details and Government Delays
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) submitted a comprehensive Rs 16,000-crore expansion proposal to the government in December of last year, but it has remained in limbo awaiting clearance. Officials express optimism that approval could come during the March budget session, which would enable the tendering process to commence before the conclusion of the current financial year.
According to the detailed project report, this plan represents an upgrade from an earlier eight-lane proposal to a more robust 10-lane access-controlled corridor. Anil Kumar Gaikwad, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of MSRDC, elaborated, "This is an enhanced version of our previous strategy. The estimated project cost stands at approximately Rs 16,000 crore, with land acquisition projected to account for around Rs 200 crore."
Growing Traffic Pressures and Infrastructure Strain
Traffic volumes on the expressway have been escalating at an annual rate of 5-6%, placing immense strain on infrastructure that is over two decades old. This surge is particularly pronounced on weekends and holidays, exacerbating congestion issues. Officials underscore that recent accidents, especially in the treacherous ghat sections, starkly reveal the expressway's susceptibility to disruptions, where even a single incident can paralyze movement for hours.
"These recurring situations unequivocally demonstrate that enhancing capacity is no longer a choice but a necessity. Expansion is imperative to ensure smoother and safer travel," emphasized an official involved in the project.
Project Scope and Execution Timeline
If sanctioned, this widening initiative will rank among the largest expressway expansion projects in India. MSRDC anticipates a three-year execution period, with work potentially starting in 2026 and concluding by 2029-30. Gaikwad noted that land acquisition challenges are minimal, requiring only about 85 hectares, primarily near tunnel zones at locations such as Kamshet, Khandala, Adoshi, Madap, and Bhatan.
The project is slated to be funded through MSRDC's internal resources and executed on an annuity model. Concurrently, MSRDC is already constructing a 13km missing link, which includes a 10-lane ghat section, expected to be completed by March. The proposed widening will address the remaining stretches, aiming to substantially alleviate congestion.
Public Sentiment and Commuter Concerns
Public frustration is palpable, with residents and regular commuters voicing their exasperation over persistent delays. "This demand has been pending for years, and the traffic pressure has become intolerable," lamented an official. Echoing this sentiment, frequent expressway user Bhagyashree Shimpley stated, "Even minor incidents result in massive delays. The widening should be expedited and implemented in phases to minimize disruptions."
S Narsimhan, a senior citizen who travels to Pune every weekend, emphasized the urgency, saying, "The expansion is crucial for ensuring seamless traffic flow and enhancing safety for all users." The collective call from Pune's citizens underscores a pressing need for infrastructure modernization to keep pace with escalating vehicular demands and prevent future gridlocks.
