Pune Allocates Rs 1,800 Crore to Fix Shivane-Kharadi Road and Katraj-Kondhwa Bypass

The Pune Municipal Corporation has announced an ambitious plan to tackle the city’s worsening traffic congestion by prioritising major road infrastructure projects in its draft budget for the 2026–27 financial year. Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram presented the proposal, which includes a total allocation of ₹1,800 crore for road and transport infrastructure. The amount marks an increase of ₹500 crore compared to previous years, reflecting the civic body’s renewed focus on completing long-delayed arterial road projects and improving connectivity across the city.

A major highlight of the budget is the acceleration of the long-pending Shivane–Kharadi riverside road project, envisioned as a key east–west connector to ease congestion on the busy Pune–Nagar Road. The 22.5-kilometre project has been divided into three sections: Shivane to Mhatre Bridge, Mhatre Bridge to Sangamwadi, and Sangamwadi to Kharadi. While portions of the road have already been constructed, progress has been uneven due to persistent challenges related to land acquisition.

To address these obstacles, the Pune Municipal Corporation has allocated ₹50 crore specifically for acquiring the remaining land required to complete the project. Officials said the acquisition process will use a combination of transferable development rights (TDR) and cash compensation to secure crucial parcels of land. One of the key missing links is a 600-metre stretch near Karvenagar, which is essential for ensuring seamless connectivity between the completed sections of the road.

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Another major infrastructure initiative highlighted in the draft budget is the Katraj–Kondhwa bypass project, a 3.5-kilometre road corridor intended to reduce traffic pressure in one of Pune’s most accident-prone areas. The project has faced multiple delays since its inception, but civic authorities say progress has recently accelerated after significant steps were taken to resolve land acquisition issues.

To expedite the process and control costs, the civic body has reduced the proposed width of the road from 84 metres to 50 metres. Additionally, ₹470 crore has been allocated for land acquisition, with the funds placed directly with the district collector’s office to streamline administrative procedures. Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has set a target of completing the bypass by mid-2026 to provide relief to commuters and improve road safety along the corridor.

The draft budget also includes plans to advance the third phase of the Ganeskhind Road improvement project. This phase will involve widening the road from the RBI Bank to Sancheti Hospital, developing a service road along the Mumbai–Bangalore bypass between Wakad and Katraj, upgrading infrastructure around Navale Bridge, and constructing a new road link from Balbharati to Paud Phata. Civic officials believe these combined projects will significantly improve urban mobility and reduce congestion across several key areas of Pune.

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