Mumbai, Mar 12: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said the state government will ensure the availability of funds for land acquisition required for major infrastructure projects, particularly those aimed at addressing traffic congestion in the Pune–Pimpri Chinchwad region.
Speaking in the legislative assembly during a discussion on traffic management in the rapidly expanding Pune metropolitan area, Fadnavis said the government is committed to supporting projects that improve connectivity and urban mobility.
He stated that wherever land acquisition is required for infrastructure works, the state government will arrange the necessary funds. In certain cases, municipal corporations may also share part of the financial responsibility, with the state coordinating efforts to ensure that projects move forward without delays.
Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal informed the House that the government is working on a comprehensive strategy to tackle growing traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad through a combination of road expansion, metro connectivity and ring road development.
Misal said the government is focusing on strengthening infrastructure in the fast-growing IT and industrial corridor around Pune to prevent the type of urban transport challenges seen in other major technology hubs.
She noted that even though the earlier development plan of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority was cancelled, authorities have been instructed to continue strategic planning for the region. This includes the development of wider roads, with new plans for 18-metre and 24-metre corridors aimed at improving connectivity.
Several projects designed to ease traffic pressure are already underway. These include construction of service roads and new link roads in areas such as Wakad, Tathawade and Punawale. Work is also in progress to improve connectivity between Bhumkar Bridge and Navale Bridge.
Misal said a proposal for the Nere–Ravet bridge project, estimated to cost about ₹3,660 crore, has been submitted, while the Nashik Phata to Khed eight-lane corridor has already received approval.
Addressing concerns about delays caused by land acquisition issues, the minister assured the assembly that the government would allocate the required funds to complete the process. She described these projects as crucial for the region’s development.
The minister also highlighted progress in the expansion of the Pune Metro network. She said the PCMC–Phugewadi and Phugewadi–District Court metro lines are close to completion, with overall progress reaching nearly 98 per cent.
To further improve traffic management, the government is also planning to introduce artificial intelligence-based smart traffic signal systems across the Pune metropolitan region.
Misal added that land acquisition for certain road projects, including the Bhosari–Indrayani river corridor, has already reached around 69–70 per cent completion. The remaining process will move ahead once additional funds are allocated.
She also said that work on several packages under the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s ring road project has begun, while land acquisition for the PMRDA-led inner ring road is currently being processed.
The government will also take action against encroachments along key roads and issue necessary directions to authorities to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the region.
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