₹59.75 Crore Sanctioned For Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur Highway Widening

Government move aims to reduce accidents, ease congestion and boost industrial transport

The Maharashtra government has sanctioned ₹59.75 crore for the repair and widening of the Talegaon–Chakan–Shikrapur National Highway 548D, a critical industrial corridor in Pune district. The announcement was made by Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, who said the move will significantly reduce traffic congestion, cut accident risks and provide much-needed relief to heavy transport.

The approved project covers the stretch from km 0/00 to km 54/00 of the highway. It will include an elevated four-lane corridor between Talegaon and Chakan, a parallel four-lane ground road, and a six-lane road between Chakan and Shikrapur. Construction will be carried out under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, ensuring long-term sustainability of the project.

This route has long been recognised as a crucial link in Maharashtra’s industrial network. Originally part of the State Road Development Plan 2001–2021, it was later upgraded to National Highway 548D by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The project is currently under the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), following transfer from the National Highways Authority of India.

Frequent heavy rainfall and flooding had damaged the stretch in recent years, making repairs unavoidable. The highway carries heavy industrial traffic daily, especially linking Pune’s manufacturing hubs. Poor road conditions had led to frequent traffic jams, accident risks and safety concerns, prompting persistent demands from local representatives for urgent repairs.

A review meeting on 30 July 2025, attended by elected officials and senior district officers, stressed the urgency of the issue. Following these deliberations, the state pushed for central-level approvals and has now secured the required funding.

The move is expected to be a major relief not only for commuters and local residents but also for industrial transporters, as the highway serves as the only major connector for several adjoining towns and villages.