Pune, 6th January 2025: Travel between Hadapsar and Saswad in Pune district is set to become much faster, with the journey expected to take only 20 to 25 minutes once ongoing road widening works are completed. The project is part of the expansion of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Highway, where construction is currently progressing at a rapid pace.
The National Highways Authority of India is developing the Hadapsar to Dive Ghat section as an eight-lane corridor, keeping in mind traffic requirements for the next 50 years. In the challenging Dive Ghat terrain, six lanes are being constructed. Despite difficult geographical conditions, work in this stretch is advancing steadily.
The Hadapsar–Dive Ghat section is 13.25 kilometres long and earlier had only two lanes, often leading to traffic congestion. The narrow road also caused inconvenience to Warkaris during the annual Ashadhi Palkhi procession.
Although work on this stretch began later due to technical issues, construction has now picked up significant momentum. Along with the main highway, service roads on both sides are being developed, which will benefit local residents, shopkeepers, and businesses.
To further reduce travel time, a one-kilometre-long flyover is under construction between Mantarwadi and Sadi Centre. Underpasses are being built at Wadki, Uruli Devachi, Fursungi, and another location. The railway overbridge at Fursungi is also being widened and is expected to be completed in the coming months.
This route will play a crucial role once the proposed Purandar Airport becomes operational, as traffic towards Purandar is expected to rise sharply. The highway also carries heavy movement towards Solapur and Pandharpur. With better road width and smoother alignment, the journey will not only be faster but also safer, as sharp curves in Dive Ghat are being reduced.
According to NHAI officials, the Hadapsar–Dive Ghat stretch is one of the most important and challenging phases of the Palkhi Highway. Efforts are underway to complete maximum work before the 2026 Palkhi ceremony to ensure a separate and secure lane for Warkaris.
At present, around 45 percent of the project has been completed, and the remaining work is expected to take at least another one and a half years.
