Land Hurdles Delay Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-Pune Expressway Project

The highly anticipated Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-Pune Expressway, a massive infrastructure project estimated at ₹25,000 crore, is facing significant delays due to land acquisition issues. While the project was initially expected to move forward smoothly, bureaucratic hurdles and land disputes have stalled progress. Now, authorities anticipate that the acquisition process will finally begin in January 2026.

Despite the setbacks, officials have assured that the expressway’s planned route will remain unchanged. However, its construction is also tied to the completion of the six-lane expansion of the 53-km Pune-Shirur stretch, which is still in progress.

Delayed Land Acquisition and Roadblocks

The Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an agreement in June 2024 to facilitate the expressway’s construction. While soil testing has already been completed at Jalta, the land acquisition process has seen little progress.

Originally announced nearly three years ago, the acquisition has been stuck in limbo for over two years since the issuance of Notification 3(A), which marks the official intent to acquire land for public infrastructure. The district collector offices in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ahilyanagar (Ahmednagar), and Pune, along with MSIDC, will be responsible for coordinating this process.

The expressway is set to pass through several villages, including Peerwadi, Hirapur, Sundarwadi, Jalta, Adgaon Budruk, Chincholi, and Ghardon in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar taluka. Additionally, its alignment near Bidkin is expected to be modified to accommodate an industrial project.

Major Renovation of Existing Route

Alongside the expressway project, the existing Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-Pune route is also set to undergo a major overhaul. This ₹9,000 crore renovation project, now under MSIDC’s control, aims to upgrade the route to national highway standards. The Maharashtra government has already designated this road as NH-753F, ensuring better connectivity and smoother travel between the two cities.

While the expressway promises to enhance regional connectivity and boost economic growth, the delays in land acquisition pose a serious challenge. With a new timeline set for early 2026, commuters and businesses eagerly await progress on this crucial infrastructure project.