Pune Outer Ring Road: Western Alignment Progresses Swiftly; May 2026 Target to End Hinjawadi, Baner, and Wakad Traffic Woes

By PuneNow News Bureau

PUNE (January 2026) – For years, the daily commute for residents of Hinjawadi, Baner, and Wakad has been defined by the bottleneck at Chandni Chowk and the relentless congestion of the Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass. However, as of January 2026, that narrative is shifting.

Recently, PuneNow team visited the construction sites and took stock of the construction activities, spoke to contractors and accessed the progress of work.

The Western Alignment of the Pune Outer Ring Road is now in a high-speed construction phase, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) prioritizing its completion to meet a mid-2026 deadline.

Unlike the Eastern counterpart, which is slated for 2028, the 65.45 km western stretch is moving at an accelerated pace. With 99% of land acquisition complete and compensation disbursed across Maval and Mulshi, the project has transitioned from a plan on paper to a massive engineering reality cutting through the Sahyadri foothills.

Strategic Access Guide: How to Join the Ring Road

The Western Alignment is a strictly access-controlled expressway. For residents of Western Pune, the “Great Bypass” is only useful if you know where to enter. Here is your guide to the strategic interchanges:

1. Hinjawadi (Phases 1, 2, and 3)

• Primary Gateway (Phase 3): The Ghotawde Interchange is the vital link for the IT Park. Accessed via the Hinjawadi-Pirangut Road, it allows Phase 3 commuters to hit the expressway in minutes, bypassing the internal traffic of Phases 1 and 2.
• Northern Entry (Phase 1 & 2): For those heading toward Mumbai, the existing connectivity to the Urse Interchange remains the most efficient route.

2. Wakad and Baner

• The Mhalunge-Nande Route: Residents can utilize the developing infrastructure of the Hi-Tech City to reach the Rihe or Ghotawde Interchanges. This effectively allows you to bypass the entire Hinjawadi traffic corridor when heading toward Satara or Bangalore.
• Urse Interchange: Best for those near the highway looking to travel toward the Nashik or Ahmednagar highways via the northern loop.

3. Pashan and Bavdhan

• Pirangut Interchange: This is the most strategic entry point. By taking Paud Road, residents can join the Ring Road at Pirangut, skipping the Chandni Chowk chaos and gaining a high-speed exit toward either the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (North) or the Pune-Satara Highway (South).

The Real Estate Revolution: Valuation and Growth

The Western Alignment is no longer just a transport project; it is the most significant economic driver for Western Pune’s property market.

Skyrocketing Valuations

Villages along the route, particularly Rihe, Ghotawde, and Pirangut, have seen property prices surge by 40% to 60% over the last 18 months. As the project nears its May 2026 completion target, investors are bracing for another “valuation correction” as these once-remote areas become suburban hubs.

The Mhalunge-Maan Integration

The Mhalunge-Maan Town Planning Scheme is being strategically integrated with the Ring Road’s nodes. For residents of Baner and Wakad, this means:

• Planned Urbanization: New residential townships with superior infrastructure compared to the older, unplanned city cores.
• Commercial Shift: The development of logistics hubs near Urse and Pirangut is expected to attract corporate offices away from the city center, further boosting rental yields in the western belt.

Project Status & Engineering Milestones (Jan 2026)

Construction is currently active across all five civil packages. Major firms like Megha Engineering and Navayuga Engineering are working 24/7 to meet the government’s target.

Package	Stretch	Key Contractor	Current Status
W1	Urse to Kemsewadi	Megha Engineering	Bridge and Tunnel work underway
W2	Kemsewadi to Morewadi	Navayuga Eng.	Massive site mobilization
W3	Morewadi to Vardade	Navayuga Eng.	Ground clearing and leveling
W4	Vardade to Kalyan	Navayuga Eng.	Initial structural work started
W5	Kalyan to Shivare	GR Infra	Mobilization/Heavy machinery on-site

Technical Marvels: The project includes 8 tunnels and a spectacular 1 km bridge across the Khadakwasla backwaters, connecting the Mulshi and Haveli stretches. The entire 6-lane expressway is designed for a top speed of 120 km/h.

Village-Level Alignment: Is Your Locality on the Map?

The road passes through 38 villages across four talukas. Residents in these areas will see the most immediate impact on local connectivity:

• Maval: Urse (Starting Point), Pachane, Chandkhed, Bebad-Ohol.
• Mulshi: Rihe, Ghotawde, Pirangut, Uravade, Ambadvet, Kasar Amboli.
• Haveli: Vardade, Khamgaon, Kalyan, Rathwade, Bahuli, Sangrun.
• Bhor: Shivare, Kusgaon, Varve Budruk (Ending Point).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Pune Outer Ring Road (Western Alignment)

1. When will the Western Alignment of the Pune Outer Ring Road be open to the public? The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has set a completion target between May 2026 and December 2026. Construction is currently on a “fast-track” basis compared to the Eastern Alignment, which is expected to be ready only by mid-2028.

2. Where can I enter the Ring Road if I am staying in Hinjawadi? The most convenient access point for Hinjawadi residents is the Ghotawde Interchange (near Phase 3). If you are in Phase 1 or 2 and heading toward Mumbai, you can also use the Urse Interchange on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

3. Will the Ring Road help reduce traffic at Wakad and Chandni Chowk? Yes, significantly. The Western Alignment is designed to divert heavy vehicles and long-distance travelers moving between Mumbai and Bangalore. This is expected to reduce the traffic volume on the existing Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass and at Chandni Chowk by approximately 25-30%.

4. Are there tolls on the Pune Outer Ring Road? Yes, the Western Alignment is an access-controlled expressway. While specific toll rates for 2026 have not been finalized, it will operate on a toll-based model similar to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to recover construction and maintenance costs.

5. Which villages in Mulshi Taluka are covered by the Western Alignment? The road passes through several key villages including Rihe, Ghotawde, Pirangut, Pimploli, Uravade, Ambadvet, Kasar Amboli, and Muthe. These areas are currently seeing significant real estate interest due to their proximity to the new interchanges.

ALSO READ | Pune University Flyover to Fully Open by Jan 15: Big Traffic Relief for Aundh, Baner, and Pashan

Conclusion

For the readers of PuneNow, the Western Alignment is the missing piece of the puzzle. By allowing heavy transit vehicles to bypass the city core, it is expected to reduce internal traffic by 25-30%. Whether you are a daily commuter in Hinjawadi or a homeowner in Baner, the “Great Bypass” is about to change how you live and move in Pune.

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