The six-laning of a 20-kilometre stretch on the Mumbai–Agra highway, between Gonde and Pimpri Sado, is now expected to be completed by December 2026, three months ahead of its original March 2027 deadline, according to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The project has been expedited to ensure Nashik is fully prepared for the massive influx of pilgrims during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.The Kumbh Mela, to be held between October 2026 and July 2028, will see its peak in August and September 2027, coinciding with the Amrit Snan rituals at Ramkund in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. Authorities expect record crowds, prompting large-scale infrastructure upgrades across the district.“The district administration is implementing several development projects to manage the anticipated surge in visitors,” an official said.The Gonde–Pimpri Sado expansion has been identified by NHAI as a key component of these preparations. “The Pimpri Sado-end connects to the Samruddhi Expressway near Igatpuri, which will be a major route for pilgrims travelling to Nashik and Trimbakeshwar during the Kumbh Mela. Given the expected rise in vehicular traffic, two additional lanes are being added along this section,” an NHAI official stated.The upgraded highway will significantly ease congestion and provide faster, more reliable connectivity between Mumbai, Nashik, and other parts of Maharashtra throughout the religious event. The improved road capacity is also expected to enhance logistics and intercity travel for businesses in the region.Following the Kumbh, the government plans to further extend the six-laning project up to Vadpe, ensuring that the benefits of enhanced road infrastructure continue beyond the festival period.Estimated at over Rs 12 billion, the project is part of a wider effort by NHAI to strengthen national highway corridors and improve traffic efficiency in western India.