Nashik-Pune Highway Road Upgrade Plan Altered for Kumbh Mela Timeline
In a significant revision to the original road improvement strategy, a crucial 6.4-kilometer segment of the Nashik-Pune highway will now undergo asphalting rather than white-topping. This pivotal change affects the stretch from Dwarka Circle to the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) limits at Nashik Road, directly influenced by the impending Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
National Highways Authority Recommends Asphalting for Speed
The decision emerged from a high-level meeting in Delhi on Tuesday, where senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) advised a visiting delegation from the Nashik Municipal Corporation. The NHAI strongly recommended opting for asphalting over the initially proposed white-topping method. According to authorities, asphalting is projected to be completed more swiftly and is deemed more feasible given the stringent timeline associated with Kumbh-related infrastructure works.
This strategic shift is expected to accelerate the execution process, ensuring the road upgrade is finalized well in advance of the massive influx of pilgrims and visitors during the Kumbh Mela.
Revised Proposal and Cost Implications
Last month, the NMC had submitted a comprehensive Rs 290-crore proposal to the NHAI, seeking approval to widen and strengthen a 9-kilometer section of the highway from Dwarka junction to Nashik Road. The original plan encompassed expanding the road from the existing six lanes to ten lanes and implementing white-topping across the entire stretch.
Currently, a team of NMC officials is engaged in detailed discussions with NHAI representatives in Delhi to finalize the modified approach. An NMC official clarified that while the corporation had initially advocated for white-topping alongside lane expansion, the NHAI's recommendation for asphalting was accepted to enhance project efficiency.
The adoption of asphalting is anticipated to reduce the overall project cost to approximately Rs 245 crore, which will also incorporate land acquisition expenses.
Critical Corridor and Anticipated Benefits
The Dwarka-Nashik Road corridor stands as one of the most heavily trafficked routes in the region, accommodating substantial daily vehicle flow. This includes traffic destined for Pune, Shirdi, and the industrial belt in Sinnar. The high density of commercial establishments along this route frequently contributes to slowed movement, making road widening a persistent demand from both commuters and local businesses.
Upon completion, the widened and asphalted segment is projected to manage nearly double the current traffic volume. This enhancement is expected to markedly alleviate congestion and mitigate routine bottlenecks, improving overall transportation efficiency.
Formal Decision and Accelerated Timeline
A formal decision from the NHAI is awaited imminently, following which work on the highway stretch is likely to be expedited to align with the Kumbh Mela deadline. This proactive adjustment underscores the urgency and strategic planning involved in preparing Nashik's infrastructure for the grand religious congregation.
