Rs 1.5 Lakh Crore Projects Lined Up for Maharashtra: Nitin Gadkari Promises Traffic Relief for Pune with Elevated Roads and Green Highway

Mumbai: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Saturday announced a massive infrastructure push for Maharashtra, promising long-term relief from traffic congestion in Pune and accelerated economic growth across the state.

Speaking about upcoming road projects, Gadkari said, “These elevated roads for Pune and the second projects worth Rs 50 thousand crore will provide relief to Pune from traffic jams. We have decided to build a new green highway from Pune to Sambhaji Nagar… In the coming year, projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore will be started in Maharashtra…”

The Union Minister underlined that Pune, one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing urban centres, has been facing severe traffic congestion due to rapid urbanisation and rising vehicle numbers. The proposed elevated corridors are expected to significantly ease commuting time, decongest arterial roads, and improve overall traffic flow in the city.

Gadkari also announced the development of a new green highway connecting Pune with Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad). The project is aimed at improving regional connectivity while ensuring environmentally sustainable infrastructure. Green highways typically include large-scale plantation drives, use of eco-friendly construction practices, and better road safety features.

Highlighting the scale of future investments, the minister said that projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore are set to begin across Maharashtra in the coming year, marking one of the biggest infrastructure expansions in the state’s history. These projects are expected to boost employment, strengthen logistics, and support industrial and agricultural growth.