Pune, 17 Oct: The ambitious Pune Ring Road project, aimed at transforming the city’s traffic flow and reducing congestion, has seen a significant cost escalation, with the total project budget now exceeding ₹42,000 crore. Initially announced in 2016, the Pune Ring Road project is expected to ease traffic in the city’s core and facilitate smoother connectivity between its rapidly growing suburban areas. However, ongoing delays in land acquisition, design changes, and rising construction costs have pushed the overall project expenses higher.
Pune Ring Road Costs Surge to ₹42,711 Crore
The Maharashtra cabinet recently approved an additional budget of ₹20,375 crore, bringing the total project cost to ₹42,711 crore. This budget revision comes just three years after the original cost estimates were set. Despite this, construction has not yet begun, leading to concerns about further delays.
The project, divided into two segments – Eastern and Western, will cover a total distance of 128.08 km. The Eastern section, connecting Urse (Mumbai-Pune Expressway) to Sortapwadi (Pune-Solapur Road), has seen its cost nearly double from ₹10,159 crore in 2021 to ₹19,932 crore due to an increase in the project length and inflation. Similarly, the Western section, which runs from Urse to Varve Budruk (Satara Road), has also witnessed a sharp rise in cost, from ₹12,176 crore to ₹22,778 crore.
PMRDA Moves Ahead with Funding and Land Acquisition
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has prioritized the Ring Road in its 2024-25 budget, allocating funds to kickstart land acquisition and begin the tender process for the project’s first two phases. This move will help accelerate progress and bring the long-awaited project closer to realization. (Pune News Latest)
According to Ashok Bhalkar, Chief Engineer of PMRDA, “The land acquisition process has already begun, and tenders for the Solu Interchange-Vadgaon Shinde and Ahmednagar Road-Solapur Road-Satara Road stretches are now being floated. This is a critical step to get the project moving forward.”
Why Has the Pune Ring Road Project Cost Increased?
The sharp increase in the project’s cost is largely attributed to updated design specifications, new technologies, and rising material costs. Anilkumar Gaikwad, Vice President of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), noted that initial estimates were based on 2017-18 prices. “The tender bids submitted recently reflect current market prices, which are significantly higher than before. Additionally, contractors will be responsible for managing temporary road costs and acquiring minor minerals,” he added.
To ensure transparency and accuracy, the Maharashtra government enlisted Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) to review the updated costs. Their findings were submitted in July 2024 and certified by a chief engineer’s committee. (Pune Ring Road News)
The Four Phases of the Pune Ring Road Project
The Pune Ring Road project is divided into four key phases, spanning different parts of the city:
Phase 1: Solu Interchange to Vadgaon Shinde (4.7 km)
Phase 2: Pune-Ahmednagar Road to Solapur Road (71.89 km)
Phase 3: Pune-Solapur Road to Pune-Satara Road (21.23 km)
Phase 4: Pune-Satara Road to Parandwadi Interchange (44.80 km)
Each phase is crucial in alleviating Pune’s notorious traffic congestion, which has only worsened with the city’s rapid growth in population and vehicle numbers.
What’s Next for Pune Ring Road?
With the additional funding approved and the PMRDA focusing on land acquisition and tender processes, there is renewed hope that construction will finally begin in the coming months. However, given the ongoing challenges, residents and stakeholders will be keenly watching the progress of the Pune Ring Road project, which is expected to bring long-term benefits to the city’s infrastructure and connectivity.
