By Tejas

Pune, September 10, 2024: In a significant infrastructure boost, the Maharashtra state government has approved the revised proposal to connect a 53-km six-lane flyover between Pune and Shirur to the Samruddhi Highway via Ahmednagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The decision was made yesterday during a state cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The original 53-km flyover project, which begins at Kesnand village near Pune and extends to Shirur, was initially estimated to cost Rs 7517 crore. However, with the newly approved extension to connect the flyover to the Samruddhi Highway via Ahmednagar and further to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, the total cost has risen by Rs 2050 crore, bringing the overall expenditure to Rs 9565 crore. The total length of this extended highway is now projected to be 250 km.

Initially, the Pune to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar highway was set to be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and had received approval. However, in April, the project was transferred to the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) following an agreement between NHAI and MSIDC. As a result, MSIDC is now overseeing the development of the highway.

A PWD official said, "As per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024, the PWD and Maharashtra government will initiate all necessary measures to ensure commencement of the project within two years, failing which the ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) may consider taking over the entire project in the public interest."