Pune-Nashik Expressway work suspended amidst opposition from local communities

Pargaon/Manchar – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has announced the suspension of the Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway project due to significant opposition from local farmers and public representatives. The decision to halt the project was made following instructions to reconsider the highway in light of the strong sentiments expressed by the affected communities.

The announcement came after a meeting held in the office of the Deputy Chief Minister, initiated by Cooperation Minister Dilip Valse Patil. Present at the meeting were MLAs Dilip Mohite and Atul Benke, former vice president of Zilla Parishad Vivek Valse Patil, Anil Valunj, Ashok Adak Patil, Balshiram Valunj, Ashok Valunj, and other officials.

The proposed expressway, which would pass through the talukas of Khed, Ambegaon, and Junnar, threatened to disrupt horticultural lands owned by many farmers, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. In response to this opposition, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar instructed officials to stop the ongoing work and explore alternative routes for the project. Cooperation Minister Dilip Valse Patil confirmed that the Deputy Chief Minister has ordered a review of other options.

The meeting resulted in a suggestion to halt and reconsider the expressway at the government level. Ajit Pawar and Dilip Valse Patil plan to meet the Chief Minister soon to demand the cancellation of the current proposal and seek an alternative route for the road. Vivek Valse Patil assured the delegation of farmers that such a demand would be made.

The existing Pune-Nashik highway has been widened and bypassed in several areas, and land acquisition has taken place for railways. Two additional highways are proposed through this region, which experiences traffic congestion in Chakan, Talegaon, and Shikrapur areas. Minister Valse Patil emphasized that widening the old highway in certain sections could alleviate these traffic issues.

In the wake of the suspension, MP Dr. Amol Kolhe expressed gratitude to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Dr. Kolhe highlighted that numerous farmers in the Junnar, Ambegaon, and Khed talukas had already lost land to various projects, and urged that horticultural lands not be acquired for this highway. He advocated for the Pune-Nashik Railway as a more viable alternative and called for the complete cancellation of the expressway project to provide permanent justice to the farmers.