The Maharashtra government has set an accelerated schedule for three major road infrastructure projects in Pune to ease congestion and improve connectivity. A high-level committee chaired by the chief minister met in Mumbai to plan, finance and monitor the High Capacity Mass Rapid Transit project, the Pune Internal Ring Road and a network of tunnels. The committee set a target to complete the mass transit route by 2028 and asked the administration to prepare a financial model.

The High Capacity Mass Rapid Transit project is described as an elevated route of 43.60 km that is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 25 to 30 per cent and connect all metro lines to increase transport capacity. It was also outlined as a six-lane elevated road of approximately 36 km that will pass through central Pune and be integrated with public transport. Construction cost is estimated at Rs 90 billion (bn) and land acquisition at Rs 30 billion (bn).

The Pune Internal Ring Road, to be implemented by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority, runs 83.12 km through 44 villages and will be executed in five phases, with land acquisition urged to be completed within six months. The total cost for the ring road is estimated at Rs 251.60 bn and the government listed phase stretches including Solu Interchange to Vadgaon Shinde and Bhugaon to Parandwadi. Officials were asked to expedite statutory procedures to allow prompt commencement.

Three tunnels are proposed under the Patal Lok project to further cut congestion: a 36 km corridor from Bhosari to Undri via the new airport that includes a 10 km elevated section, an eight km link from Ramnadi-Bhugaon to Rajaram Pool and a 1.65 km tunnel from Taljai Tekdi to Padmavati-Hingne. The committee emphasised early commencement and timely completion to ensure coherence with metro and road works. It directed officials to finalise designs, land acquisition and the financial framework for phased implementation.