The meeting also focused on the importance of infrastructure development in enhancing connectivity and economic growth in the region. Gadkari’s address underscored the government’s commitment to improving transportation facilities and promoting local heritage.
Also present at the event were Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murli Manohar Mohol, Maharashtra’s Cooperative Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, MPs Medha Kulkarni and Supriya Sule, and other dignitaries.
Gadkari emphasized Maharashtra’s rich history and spiritual heritage, highlighting the significance of saints such as Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram. He mentioned that the Palakhi Highway, dedicated to the pilgrims, is being developed with a budget of ₹12,000 crore. This route, which sees millions of pilgrims, will include facilities like replicas of prominent saints, electric infrastructure, and replantation of about 42,000 trees.
Furthermore, multiple developmental projects, including the Nashik Phata to Khed, Hadapsar to Yavat, and Katraj Tunnel to Ravet, are in the works. By December, projects worth ₹1.5 lakh crore will be initiated in Pune city and district. He also mentioned plans for expanding the Pune-Satara highway and the benefits of the ongoing Mumbai-Bengaluru Expressway project for Pune’s circular roads, which will help reduce traffic congestion.
Efforts for Pilgrim Welfare – Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the importance of the annual pilgrimage (Wari) to Dehu, Alandi, and Pandharpur, and emphasized the need to provide better facilities for pilgrims. He mentioned the ongoing land acquisition process to create facilities for pilgrims along the Palakhi route and assured that the central government would extend support for further development.
Fadnavis also spoke about resolving Pune’s traffic issues through the completion of a circular road project. He highlighted the growing need for public transport, especially electric buses, with plans to introduce 1,000 more e-buses in the near future. These developments, he said, will cement Pune’s status as a city with modern transportation infrastructure. He also announced that a proposal to name Pune’s new airport after Sant Tukaram Maharaj would be presented at an upcoming cabinet meeting for approval and then submitted to the central government.
Continued Development of Roads and Highways
Union Minister of State Mohol pointed out that the construction of the Palakhi Highways, under Gadkari’s vision, is progressing well. He added that Maharashtra has seen the most significant development in highway infrastructure in the past decade, thanks to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Cooperative Minister Dilip Walse Patil requested the central government’s cooperation for pending projects, such as the Pune to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Talegaon to Chakan roads, to enhance industrial and regional development.
Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil suggested creating permanent shelters and sanitary facilities for the growing number of pilgrims along the Palakhi routes.
The event concluded with the ceremonial virtual groundbreaking of key projects, including the widening of the Diveghat to Hadapsar section of Palakhi Highway 965, a project estimated to cost ₹819 crore. Additionally, new bridges over the Mula and Mutha rivers, as well as service road construction from Sinhagad Road to Warje, were also announced with an estimated cost of ₹80 crore.
Several prominent religious leaders, including representatives from Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram Devasthan committees, were also present at the event.
