Mumbai-Pune Expressway bypass alignment to change

Mumbai: With the intention to widen the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and overcome traffic congestion, the state government has decided to change the alignment for the highway bypass and build a 12-km road from Khalapur toll naka to Sinhgad institute. This is expected to reduce the distance between Khopoli and Sinhgad institute from 18 km to 12 km. Land from five villages — Kusgaon, Bhushi, Adoshi, Chavani and Kurvande would be required for the same.  

In the latest notification, the urban development department has said that due to certain technical issues, the alignment of the road is to be changed. “The passenger and freight traffic is increasing on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. With a view to ensure planned mobility, avoid traffic congestion and accidents in the ghat section passing through the Lonavala municipal council, the MSRDC has requested the alternative alignment of the Mumbai-Pune expressway,” the notification said.

The notification further explained the procurement of land for the changes. It said, “The villages through which the road will pass are Kusgaon, Bhushi, Adoshi, Chavani and Kurvande villages of Maval and Khalapur tehsil.”

The Rs 7,000 crore project is yet to be approved by the environment and forest ministry. It will have an underground tunnel for the bypass road to be built — 180 metres below the Lonavla lake. The irrigation department has given an NOC for the project.

The expressway, starts at Kalamboli and is 6-laned, while the NH4 from Shil Phata is 4-laned, leading to traffic jams, which are worse during extended weekends.