In order to alleviate traffic congestion along the Pune–Nashik highway, the district administration and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) have stepped up their efforts to finish the land acquisition for the upcoming Nashik Phata–Khed elevated corridor. 

Project Overview

The 30-km elevated corridor between Nashik Phata and Rajgurunagar (Khed) will be developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The project, estimated at ₹7,827 crore, is expected to significantly reduce travel time and traffic snarls on this vital route, especially near industrial hubs like Chakan.

Land Requirement & Acquisition

Authorities have identified around 14 hectares of land needed for the project, primarily for entry and exit points. Out of this, 9.74 hectares belonging to around 150 landowners within PMRDA limits—covering villages such as Nanekarwadi, Waki Khurd, Waki Budruk, Chimbali, Kuruli, Medankarwadi, and parts of Chakan have been earmarked.

In areas under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), particularly in Bhosari and Moshi, land acquisition is being facilitated through Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and Floor Space Index (FSI) transfers.

Financial Support

To cover remaining acquisition costs, a proposal seeking ₹262 crore in state aid has already been submitted. Authorities have assured that landowners will receive due compensation for the acquired land.

Challenges Ahead

Concerns have been voiced by a few Chakan landowners who demand payment for their holdings and assert that previous acquisitions for highway construction were never formally transferred.  If these disagreements are not settled right away, the process may be delayed. 

Road Ahead

The district administration has set a goal to finish the land acquisition by October 2025. Following the conclusion of the bidding process, construction is anticipated to start.  Once the corridor is up and running, it should improve connectivity to the Chakan MIDC belt and beyond while also providing relief to thousands of daily commuters. 

Source: Times of India