Proposed Pune-Nashik expressway to reduce travel time between the 2 cities to 3 hours: Maharashtra Minister Dadaji Bhuse

“The Pune-Nashik Industrial Expressway is a major and ambitious project that will boost development. Once completed, the travel time between Pune and Nashik will be reduced to 2.5 to 3 hours, significantly benefiting industries, transportation, and tourism between the two cities,” Bhuse told the House.

The expressway will create a strong industrial corridor between Pune and Nashik, providing direct connectivity to many small, medium, and large-scale industries, which, in turn, will boost employment, he said, adding that the proposed highway will also connect several pilgrimage sites and develop villages along its route.

Minister Bhuse stated that as the project involves the acquisition of both dry and irrigated agricultural lands, special care was being taken to ensure that farmers are treated justly. “Every stage of the acquisition process will be carried out with the consent and involvement of the farmers, ensuring legal compliance and fair compensation,” he said.

Bhuse further said that certain technical considerations were being addressed regarding alignment of the highway. “Coordination is needed with defence officials in Nashik, and also with officials of the proposed Nashik ring road, and the Surat-Chennai expressway. Therefore, some changes in the alignment are necessary. For this, specialists are being consulted before making final decisions,” he added.

Earlier, there were efforts to provide direct rail connectivity between Pune and Nashik, but the project has been stuck in the planning stages for long. At present, there is no direct rail connectivity between the two districts of Pune and Nashik.