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Pune: While the Pune-Nashik semi-high speed rail project is facing delays, there seems to be progress with the Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway. The expressway proposal which aims to link Pune, Nashik, and Ahilyanagar is expected to be sent for government approval soon. This development is going to cut down the five hour travel time between Pune and Nashik to just three.
The government had given approval last year
As for the rest of the regions, the government gave the final design of the highway an approval in February last year. Since this highway will connect to the Surat-Chennai highway, it will benefit interstate motorists. The detailed project report (DPR) along with the highway’s feasibility study report have been completed and MSRDC intends to submit them to the state government in the coming days.
The government had already directed to prepare a detailed report for the Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway. Based on this, the estimated budget for the new 133 kilometer long expressway is Rs 28,429 crore and further development on the project will commence after cabinet approval.
Work can be completed in three years
Given that the Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway is 133 km long, the construction work on this expressway would take approximately three years to complete. This will require a land acquisition of 1545 hectares. The expressway is proposed to be carried out through Khed, Shirur, Ambegaon and Junnar talukas of Pune district and Sangamner taluka of Ahilyanagar district. Ahilyanagar and Nashik are major cities of Maharashtra. These cities will experience a boost in economic business activity following this development. The Pune-Nashik semi-high speed railway line still faces many hurdles and is waiting for final approval. If, however, the industrial highway is constructed, travel time between Pune and Nashik can be reduced from five hours to three.
What will the Industrial Expressway be like?
The Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway will feature the construction of 12 major flyovers to be built over streams and rivers. Nine interchanges will be built at Chimbli, Chakan, Pabal in Pune district and Ahilyanagar and Rajuri, Khandarmal, Sakur, Machi, and Kasare in Nashik. Exits to the expressway will be given at these interchanges. The officials of the Road Development Corporation stated that Shirdi Marg will also be connected to the expressway.
Industrial Expressway Proposed from Rail Corridor
The meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar about this expressway was held in June last year. He has instructed to check if the Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway would be feasible stemming from the land that needs to be purchased for the proposed High Speed Railway between Pune and Nashik. Accordingly, that work is currently underway, and a few final touches are left for the report.
What’s the investment required for the expressway?
Ashok Bhalkar, Chief Engineer at the Road Development Authority mentioned that the government had already instructed to prepare a report for Pune-Nashik Industrial Express. So, the new expressway is projected at a cost of Rs 28,429 crore for the further 133km of construction, while preliminary construction of the express will only commence after permisssion comes through the cabinet meeting.
Updated Results
133.889 – over all length of express, measured in km.
57.55 – link roads, measured in km.
100 – highway\, measured in m for the width.
28,429 - expected project cost in crores.
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