Pune: Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday inspected the work on the Pune-Pandharpur palkhi route and said it would be ready by year-end as nearly 80% of the work was already completed.
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity, Gadkari avoided using a ministerial convoy and instead travelled in a private bus with officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), his staff and media personnel during the inspection.
NHAI is developing a total of 351km under the project, comprising 221km of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Palkhi route and 130km of the Sant Tukaram Palkhi route. The initiative was launched after PM Modi laid the foundation stone in Nov 2021 to upgrade the traditional paths used by warkaris during their annual pilgrimage.
Highlighting challenges, Gadkari said the Dive Ghat stretch remained the most complex part of the project due to land acquisition issues involving forest department land. “Work is currently under way to widen this section from two lanes to four. We have completed about 80% of the work and are hopeful the entire route will be ready by Dec,” he said.
The project also includes several safety and convenience measures for pilgrims. “Dedicated lanes for warkaris are being developed in select stretches, while foot overbridges are being constructed to help pedestrians and two- and three-wheelers safely cross busy highway sections,” the Union minister said.
Gadkari said 66 lakes had been constructed along the route as part of the project, including 36 in Pune district, 25 in Satara and five in Solapur.
Addressing traffic congestion near Jejuri, the minister announced plans to build a 2km-long flyover. “A bypass had earlier been proposed, but it was dropped following opposition from local traders and residents who preferred retaining access to the main road,” the minister added.
