The Pune Aurangabad Expressway is an upcoming six-lane access-controlled expressway that will revolutionize the road transport system in Maharashtra. The expressway is a greenfield project developed under the Bharatmala Project by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
It is designed to connect two major cities in Maharashtra, Pune, and Aurangabad, and is expected to become a significant artery of transportation for goods and passengers. Once completed, the 225 km long expressway will drastically reduce travel time between the two cities, cut down on traffic congestion, and bolster economic and industrial growth in the region.
In this article, we will explore the route map, cost, progress, and potential benefits of the Pune Aurangabad Expressway in detail.
Pune Aurangabad Expressway Overview
- Length: 225 km
- Cost: ₹10,000 crores
- Lanes: 6
- Starting Point: Pune
- Ending Point: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad)
- Expected Completion Year: Not yet finalized
The Pune Aurangabad Expressway is set to become one of the top expressways in Maharashtra, designed to handle the increasing transportation demands between Pune, a major industrial and educational hub, and Aurangabad, an emerging industrial center. With the proposed infrastructure, the distance between these cities will be reduced, making it possible to travel between Pune and Aurangabad in just two hours, compared to the current four to five hours via the existing road network.
Importance of the Expressway
As the state of Maharashtra continues to expand its industrial and economic footprint, improved connectivity between cities is crucial. The current road between Pune and Aurangabad is insufficient to meet the rising traffic volume, leading to regular congestion and delays. The expressway will serve as a solution to these problems by providing a faster and more efficient route, promoting regional development, and enhancing the movement of goods and services.
Aurangabad, which has been renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, is an important city with a rich cultural history and is home to many industries. Pune, on the other hand, is one of Maharashtra’s largest urban centers with a thriving IT, automobile, and educational sector. The Pune Aurangabad Expressway will effectively bridge the gap between these two cities and enable smoother transportation across the region.
Pune Aurangabad Expressway Route Map
The expressway will cover three districts: Pune, Ahmednagar, and Aurangabad. Along the route, it will pass through five talukas:
- Bhor Taluka
- Purandar Taluka
- Haveli Taluka
- Daund Taluka
- Shirur Taluka
Additionally, it will pass through 44 villages, ensuring that local communities are connected to a state-of-the-art transportation route. Some key villages along the expressway include Mauje Kanjale, Varve Budruk, Shivre, Alandi-Mhatobachi, Dahitne, and Ranjangaon Ganapati.
Here is the list of key villages and talukas through which the expressway will pass:
Bhor Taluka:
- Mauje Kanjale, Varve Budruk, Kasurdi Kh.Ba., Kasurdi Gu.M.
Purandar Taluka:
- Shivre, Thapewadi, Varwadi, Garade, Kodit Kh., Chambli, Pawarwadi, Saswad, Hiwre, Dive, Kalewadi, and Sonori.
Haveli Taluka:
- Alandi-Mhatobachi, Tarde, Valti, Shindwane, Sortapwadi, Koregaon-Mool, Bhawarpur, Hingangaon.
Shirur Taluka:
- Mirwadi, Deokarwadi, Pilanwadi, Patethan, Telewadi, Rahu, Vadgaon Bande, Takli, Panvali, Uralgaon.
Other areas:
- Satkarwadi, Dahiwadi, Amble, Karde, Babhulsar Khu., Karegaon, Chavanwadi, Golegaon, etc.
Pune Aurangabad Expressway Progress
As of now, the expressway is still in the planning and land acquisition phase. Land acquisition began in December 2022, and the detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared. The expressway project is being implemented through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, with HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) providing a loan of ₹3 billion to support the project.
NHAI has handed over the responsibility of completing the project to Maharashtra Infrastructure Corporation, and construction is expected to begin soon after the land acquisition process is completed. Although the final completion date has not yet been announced, the expressway is expected to be operational in the next few years, significantly changing the landscape of Maharashtra’s transportation infrastructure.
Also read: Kona Expressway: Route map, key facts
Benefits of the Pune Aurangabad Expressway
The Pune Aurangabad Expressway is set to bring a host of benefits not only to the cities of Pune and Aurangabad but also to the surrounding regions. Some of the key advantages of the expressway include:
1. Reduced Travel Time and Distance
The most significant benefit of the expressway is the reduction in travel time. The distance between Pune and Aurangabad will be shortened from 400 km to 225 km, allowing travelers to complete the journey in just two hours. This improvement will be crucial for businesses, tourists, and daily commuters alike, providing a faster and more reliable transportation option.
2. Enhanced Economic and Industrial Growth
The expressway will connect several key industrial areas and cities, creating new opportunities for businesses to expand their operations. The reduced travel time will make it easier for companies to transport goods, reduce transportation costs, and streamline their supply chains. In addition, the expressway will stimulate the establishment of new industries, manufacturing plants, and businesses along the route, creating job opportunities for local residents.
3. Improved Connectivity for Villages
The expressway will provide service roads that connect local villages to the main road, improving access to essential services such as markets, schools, and healthcare facilities. This increased connectivity will be a game-changer for local communities, bringing infrastructure development and better opportunities for growth.
4. Boost to Tourism
Aurangabad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to iconic tourist attractions such as the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, and other cultural heritage sites. The improved road connectivity provided by the expressway will make it easier for tourists to travel from Pune to Aurangabad, boosting the tourism industry in the region.
5. Reduced Traffic Congestion
The current road network between Pune and Aurangabad is often congested, especially during peak hours, leading to delays and frustration for travelers. The new expressway will help decongest the existing roads by providing an alternate route for long-distance travel, reducing the strain on local roads.
6. Increased Safety
With the expressway being an access-controlled route, it will have limited entry and exit points, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring a safer travel experience. Additionally, the expressway will allow vehicles to travel at speeds of 120-140 km/h, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted journeys.
Pune Aurangabad Expressway Specifications
The Pune Aurangabad Expressway will feature several cutting-edge specifications, making it one of the top infrastructure projects in Maharashtra:
- Access-Controlled: The expressway will be fully access-controlled, with no sharp turns or intersections, ensuring uninterrupted travel.
- Speed Limits: The road will allow vehicles to travel at high speeds of 120-140 km/h, making it ideal for long-distance travel.
- Connectivity: The expressway will connect with major highways such as the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, improving regional connectivity.
- Villages and Towns: It will pass through several villages and towns, bringing development and infrastructure improvements to rural areas.
Future Prospects of the Pune Aurangabad Expressway
The Pune Aurangabad Expressway is part of a broader effort to modernize India’s transportation infrastructure. It will play a pivotal role in improving road connectivity across Maharashtra and enhance trade, commerce, and tourism in the state. By connecting the expressway with other major projects such as the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the Pune Aurangabad Expressway will become an integral part of the national highway network.
As the region grows, the expressway will prove vital in facilitating the movement of goods and services, thereby strengthening the state’s economy. With improved infrastructure, cities like Pune and Aurangabad will become more attractive to investors, leading to further industrialization and job creation.
Conclusion
The Pune Aurangabad Expressway is an ambitious and much-anticipated project that will transform the transportation landscape of Maharashtra. Upon completion, the 225 km expressway will not only reduce travel time between Pune and Aurangabad but also contribute to the overall economic development of the region. By enhancing connectivity, creating new business opportunities, and improving infrastructure for local communities, the expressway is set to become a key driver of growth in Maharashtra.
The project is still in its initial stages, but once completed, it will become a vital transportation route that will benefit both urban centers and rural areas for decades to come.