Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a major infrastructure project for Solapur, involving the construction of a four-lane elevated corridor along National Highway 65. The project will span 9.66 km between Old Pune Naka and Boramani Naka, with an approved cost of Rs 9.66 billion.

The elevated stretch will feature six entry and exit ramps, along with a two-lane service road running parallel for 9.52 km. According to officials, the corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and enhance road safety in the region.

The move comes in response to growing vehicular pressure on the Solapur–Pune stretch of NH 65. While the highway was last upgraded between 2010 and 2014, daily traffic volumes have surged from 30,000 vehicles to over 42,000 by the end of 2024. To address this, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also initiated construction of flyovers at key points along the route.

One flyover — from Arjunsonda to the Lamboti (Chandan Nagar) Bridge — is being developed at a cost of Rs 190 million and is scheduled for completion within a year. Another, near Angar Phata, is expected to be ready by December 2025 and is being constructed at a cost of Rs 450 million.

Solapur holds strategic importance as a transit hub connecting Mumbai and Hyderabad while also linking to cities in Karnataka such as Vijayapura (Bijapur) and Gadag. The upcoming infrastructure upgrades are aimed at addressing long-term urban traffic challenges while supporting regional transportation growth.