Pune Ring Road Project: A Rs. 42,711 Crore Mega Structure to Ease Traffic—Details on Cost, Benefits, and Progress
Three Decades in the Making, MLAs Demand Priority Action
The Pune Ring Road project, first proposed in 1997 and formally announced in 2016, is finally moving forward after years of delays. Designed to ease traffic congestion, reduce pollution, and foster suburban growth, this ambitious 170-km road will connect 83 villages and integrate key inter-district highways such as Pune-Ahmednagar, Pune-Solapur, Pune-Bengaluru, Pune-Nashik, and Pune-Mumbai.
Revised Budget and Progress
The Maharashtra cabinet recently approved an additional ₹20,375.21 crore, increasing the project cost to ₹42,711.03 crore. This budget escalation comes just three years after the last estimate, even as construction is yet to begin. Meanwhile, over 100 excavation machines and equipment have been deployed near Wadebolhai village, signaling the contractor’s readiness to expedite the work.
Eastern Segment
- Route: Urse (Mumbai-Pune Expressway) to Sortapwadi (Pune-Solapur Road).
- Length: Increased from 68.19 km to 72.335 km.
- Cost: Revised from ₹10,159.82 crore in 2021 to ₹19,932.98 crore.
- Connectivity: Links Pune-Nagar Road and Solapur Highway.
Western Segment
- Route: Urse to Varve Budruk (Satara Road).
- Cost: Increased from ₹12,176 crore to ₹22,778.05 crore.
Execution Strategy
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is spearheading the project with 90% of land acquisition reportedly complete. Construction will be phased:
- Phase 1: Solu Interchange to Vadgaon Shinde (4.7 km).
- Phase 2: Pune-Ahmednagar Road to Solapur Road (71.89 km).
- Phase 3: Pune-Solapur Road to Pune-Satara Road (21.23 km).
- Phase 4: Pune-Satara Road to Parandwadi Interchange (44.80 km).
Challenges and Outlook
Despite progress, issues like land acquisition and rising costs remain. Local leaders, including MLA Siddharth Shirole, have called for prioritizing the project, emphasizing its importance for Pune’s development and traffic management. Residents are hopeful that this vital infrastructure will soon materialize, marking a new chapter in Pune’s growth story.
