Major Boost for Pune-Mumbai Commuters: Old Highway Set for 6-Lane Expansion

November 11, 2026 PuneTV Team 1 Comment

Pune, 11 November 2026 — The long-awaited Old Mumbai-Pune Highway 6-lane expansion has officially taken a major step forward for daily commuters and freight operators traveling between the two cities. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has invited tenders for consultants to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and feasibility study for expanding a crucial 111-kilometer stretch from four lanes to six.

This development marks the formal start of planning for an infrastructure project that has been desperately needed due to years of rapid regional growth.

The Scope of the Project

The proposed six-laning covers the busy stretch from Nigdi in Pune to Shilphata in Thane, passing through the districts of Pune, Raigad, and Thane.

This specific section of the old route is currently buckling under immense pressure. Originally built with a designed capacity of about 40,000 vehicles per day, the highway currently handles a massive volume of approximately 70,000 vehicles daily. This significant capacity gap has led to chronic congestion, particularly in the treacherous and winding Lonavala and Khandala ghat sections.

Cost, Timeline, and Toll Implications

According to MSRDC officials, the estimated cost of this massive infrastructure overhaul will fall between ₹5,000 crore and ₹6,000 crore. While the highway is owned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), MSRDC currently holds the toll collection rights until 2035.

To recover the substantial project costs, officials have indicated that extending the toll concession by another 10 to 15 years (potentially stretching to 2045 or 2050) may be on the table.

The tender process is expected to conclude soon, with work on the detailed blueprint commencing in early 2027. The upgrade is anticipated to include better junctions, enhanced drainage, modern safety features, and potentially new bypasses or alternative routes to navigate around the challenging ghat sections. Exact land requirements and construction packages will only be finalized once the DPR is complete.

Why the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway 6-Lane Expansion is Crucial

The Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, originally a British-era two-lane road later widened to four, remains a vital artery. Even with the Mumbai-Pune Expressway handling high-speed through-traffic, the older route serves a rapidly growing local population.

Suburbs and industrial hubs along the route—such as Karjat, Neral, Khopoli, and Patalganga—have seen explosive residential and commercial development. This has resulted in a surge of local and freight traffic that the current four-lane structure simply cannot handle. Widening it to six lanes is expected to drastically improve safety, reduce travel times, and take some much-needed pressure off the Expressway.

Alternative Routes for Commuters

While the planning phase begins, commuters still have options for their daily or weekly travel:

Mumbai-Pune Expressway: The primary high-speed route remains the fastest option.
Karjat–Talegaon Route: A viable alternative for local travelers.
MTHL Connections: Routes connecting via the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) side are also available.

Drivers are advised to stay updated as the project progresses, particularly once construction begins and temporary diversions are put in place.

The Bigger Picture

This six-laning project is part of a broader push to expand capacity between Mumbai and Pune. Combined with other upgrades—like the recently commissioned Missing Link on the Expressway—the region is slowly preparing for its future economic growth.

For the thousands of daily Pune-Mumbai travelers, a properly executed six-lane upgrade promises smoother, safer journeys. While the actual construction is still a few years away, the initiation of the DPR process is a critical milestone that brings the reality of a congestion-free old highway one step closer.

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