Pune Rs 604 Crore Service Road to Decongest Key Corridors

Pune Rs 604 Crore Service Road to Decongest Key Corridors

Pune’s burgeoning vehicular density has led to increased traffic snarls and frequent accidents, necessitating urgent infrastructural interventions. To address these concerns, a 32.4-kilometre-long service road will be developed between Khed Shivapur and Ravet at an estimated cost of ₹604 crore. This two-lane road, approved by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), aims to improve urban mobility and reduce travel time. The project, which has reached the final stage of land acquisition, is expected to commence in March 2025 and be completed within two years. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has successfully completed 90% of the required land acquisition, while the Pune Municipal Corporation is in the process of acquiring the remaining 10%. Upon completion, this initiative will help commuters save 15 to 20 minutes per trip, improving overall efficiency.

The new service road will particularly benefit key congestion hotspots, including Narhe, Navale Pul, Warje, Chandni Chowk, and Ravet, where heavy traffic and frequent accidents have been a persistent challenge. Currently, nearly 2.1 lakh vehicles ply this corridor daily, leading to severe bottlenecks. The addition of a dedicated two-lane service road on both sides of the main highway will divert local and small vehicle traffic, freeing up the main carriageway for long-distance commuters. The project is divided into three key phases—Khed Shivapur to the new Katraj tunnel, Warje to Balewadi, and Wakad to Ravet—ensuring a systematic approach to execution. Engineers anticipate that this expansion will not only provide relief to daily commuters but also improve overall road safety by reducing accident-prone zones along the stretch.

From a civic perspective, this service road is a crucial step in Pune’s urban mobility strategy, as the city struggles with rapid population growth and vehicle registration surges. The city’s arterial roads have long been overburdened, with Pune witnessing a 10% annual rise in vehicular numbers, further straining existing infrastructure. This road expansion aligns with the city’s broader transport initiatives, which include upcoming metro corridors and flyovers aimed at reducing congestion. Residents of Pune’s western suburbs, who currently spend up to an hour navigating this corridor, are hopeful that this project will provide much-needed respite. “Every day, we spend a significant part of our commute stuck in bottlenecks. If this service road can ensure smoother travel, it will be a huge relief,” said a commuter who frequently uses the Khed Shivapur-Ravet route.

From a sustainability standpoint, this service road is expected to have a positive environmental impact by reducing vehicular idling and congestion, which in turn will lower fuel consumption and emissions. With India’s push towards sustainable urban transport, integrating infrastructure projects with eco-conscious planning is critical. By facilitating smoother traffic movement, this road can contribute to reduced carbon footprints and fuel wastage, making urban travel more efficient. However, urban planners emphasise the need for additional measures, such as designated pedestrian pathways and dedicated cycling lanes, to make the city’s transport network truly inclusive and future-ready. If executed effectively, this project could serve as a model for other cities grappling with similar urban congestion challenges.