The long-pending Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project has cleared a key hurdle after the state approved fresh land acquisition and funding for the first phase. Officials said around 41,517 square metres of land required for phase one has been cleared for acquisition and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has deposited nearly Rs 2.76 billion (bn) for the process, while the state had earlier allocated Rs 1.4 bn to support the project. The approvals are expected to pave the way for faster execution on one of Pune's busiest corridors. The three point five-kilometre road stretch links two national highways and currently handles more than 15,000 vehicles per hour, including heavy commercial traffic. Rapid housing growth, commercial expansion and warehousing activity in the corridor have increased traffic pressure over the years. With alternative bypass and ring road projects still incomplete, commuters continue to depend heavily on this narrow and congested route. The final design envisages an 84-metre-wide road but authorities are prioritising a 50-metre-wide Phase one corridor to provide immediate relief. The initial work will comprise a main carriageway with service roads on both sides, a stormwater drainage network and a grade separator near Mauli Nagar to improve junction movement. The wider scheme is expected to include footpaths, cycle tracks, utility ducts, parking areas and sewer lines as part of urban infrastructure upgrades. Civic officials said approximately 32 per cent of the project work has already been completed and remaining civil work will be accelerated once land possession is secured. The first widened phase is being targeted for completion by June 2026, subject to land transfer, approvals and on-ground execution. Once finished, the project should significantly reduce congestion, improve travel time and strengthen connectivity across southern Pune and to nearby ghat sections such as Bopdev Ghat and Dive Ghat. Authorities warned that timelines may change depending on land transfer, weather and construction factors.