These highways pass through regions with educational institutes, industrial belts, residential areas, hospitals, petroleum and automobile industries, and major commercial centres—all contributing to heavier vehicular traffic and regular traffic jams. He also expressed concern over commuter safety due to persistent bottlenecks
Ajit Pawar. File Pic
To tackle the rising traffic congestion in Pune and its surrounding areas, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has written to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, urging the immediate widening of three key national highways—National Highway (NH) 60 (Nashik Phata to Khed), NH 65 (Hadapsar to Yavat), and NH 548D (Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur).
In his letter, Pawar emphasised that growing urbanisation and industrial activity have significantly intensified traffic pressure in Pune and its metropolitan region. He proposed the following upgrades: NH-60 (currently 4-lane) should be widened to 6 lanes, NH-65 (currently 4-lane) should also be expanded to 6 lanes, and
NH-548D (currently 2-lane) requires widening to 4 lanes.
These highways pass through regions with educational institutes, industrial belts, residential areas, hospitals, petroleum and automobile industries, and major commercial centres—all contributing to heavier vehicular traffic and regular traffic jams. He also expressed concern over commuter safety due to persistent bottlenecks.
The Deputy CM noted that vehicular density on these roads has exceeded permissible limits, making lane expansion a critical need. Moreover, wider highways would act as alternative routes during the construction of the upcoming elevated corridors in the region.
As all three roads connect to Pune’s city entry points, incoming vehicles from outer regions are worsening city congestion. Thus, immediate attention and corrective measures are required. He further stated that widening the Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur stretch could help manage traffic temporarily until the final stage of the ongoing elevated highway project is completed.
Pawar urged Nitin Gadkari to quickly approve the proposal and release the necessary funds and administrative permissions to ease the traffic burden in Pune’s fast-growing industrial corridor.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said that action will be taken against men who have fraudulently become part of the Maharashtra government's Ladki Bahin Yojana and money given to them under the scheme will be recovered.
His statement came amid reports that 14,000 men were beneficiaries of the scheme, under which women get Rs 1500 per month as aid subject to certain conditions, including annual family income.
The scheme started in August last year and is credited as one of the prime reasons for the spectacular victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti in the November 2024 assembly polls.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
