Gadkari announces new 14-lane road project, set to boost connectivity between Bengaluru, Pune, Sambhajinagar: Report

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a new 14-lane highway project aimed at improving connectivity between Bengaluru, Pune, and Sambhajinagar.

Published on: Sep 21, 2024, 13:30:00 IST

By Yamini C S

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In a boost for frequent travellers between Bengaluru, Pune, and Sambhajinagar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently unveiled plans for an ambitious new 14-lane highway project. Set to begin after the descent from Mumbai’s Atal Setu, this major roadway will extend towards Pune and create a direct connection to Bengaluru via a ring road, the News18 reported.

The project aims to cut traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway by 50% and enhance regional economic ties. (Pic for representation)

Construction on this significant Mumbai-Bengaluru highway is reportedly expected to start within the next six months. Gadkari stated that this new route could reduce traffic on the existing Mumbai-Pune Expressway by as much as 50 percent, greatly easing travel for residents of Bengaluru and surrounding areas.

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During an event in Pune, Gadkari emphasized the need to modernize India’s infrastructure while enhancing the quality of life for both rural and urban communities. He highlighted that infrastructure development should align with efforts to uplift farmers and rural residents, helping to mitigate urban migration.

This highway project aims not only to shorten travel times but also to support the broader vision of transforming India’s road network. It underscores the government’s commitment to improving connectivity between major cities, making travel smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.

Once completed, the new highway will facilitate better access between Pune, Sambhajinagar, and Bengaluru, strengthening economic ties and fostering regional growth.

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Gadkari also addressed the importance of sustainability in road construction, noting that eight million tonnes of waste have already been repurposed for new roads, the report noted. This approach showcases how environmental challenges can be turned into growth opportunities, especially in rural regions.

Paying homage to Karnataka's renowned engineer Sir M. Visvesvaraya, Gadkari recognized his invaluable contributions and the importance of nurturing talent in engineering. He pointed out that India has become the third-largest economy in terms of GST collection, linking innovation and research to this economic success, the publication added.

In conclusion, Gadkari asserted that with adequate funding and strong leadership, infrastructure projects can be delivered swiftly, ultimately benefiting communities across India, including Bengaluru.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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