With an aim to transform intercity travel, Maharashtra will soon get its third Mumbai-Pune Express Corridor. Yes, you read that right. After the old Mumbai-Pune highway and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the development of the third Mumbai-Pune Express Corridor has finally received a green flag. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved the construction of this express corridor that will reduce travel time to 90 minutes.
Nod To Third Mumbai-Pune Express Corridor
The travel time between Mumbai and Pune will soon be slashed down to 90 minutes, thanks to the approval by the NHAI. The third Mumbai-Pune Express Corridor is an ambitious greenfield highway project. The cost of this project is estimated at around INR 15,000 crore.
The upcoming corridor will span about 130 kilometers from Atal Setu to Chowk, Pune, and Shirwal. It is seen as a long-term relief from traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Pune expressway and the Mumbai-Pune old highway. A detailed project report of about 30 kilometers of the route has already been prepared.
The consultancy work for the remaining stretch is still underway. According to officials, the tenders for appointing consultants have already been invited. These consultants will conduct feasibility assessments and prepare a comprehensive project report. The bidding process will also move ahead in some time.
NHAI has set a deadline of June 24 for the tender process. After this date, the technical clearances and contractors’ appointments are expected to be fast-tracked. The route inspection and preliminary surveys will begin later this year.
Also Read: Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Opened: Twin Tunnels And Other Advanced Features
Improve Regional Connectivity
Over the last few years, the traffic on the Mumbai-Pune route has increased very sharply. The reason behind this is the operationalization of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, urbanization, and industrial growth. Another major reason is the increase in movement towards the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old national highway are nearing saturation, as per officials. This is especially during long holidays, weekends, and peak holiday periods. The recently approved corridor is expected to make the journey of passengers faster, more convenient, and safer as well.
It will also improve regional connectivity by linking Mumbai, Pune, Navi Mumbai, and other industrial belts nearby. The corridor will help support future travel demand, which will increase with economic expansion.
Also Read: Maharashtra Plans To Widen Mumbai-Pune Expressway With Four New Lanes
Summing Up
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved the development of the third Mumbai-Pune corridor. The corridor is expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce fuel consumption, and bring overall commuting ease.
