The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step toward the development of the Pune-Nashik Green Corridor Highway by issuing a fresh land acquisition notification. The project, which has been under discussion for the past two years, is now progressing toward implementation. Previously, a notification for land acquisition was issued, but it lapsed due to delays in initiating work. The new notification revives the process, ensuring the necessary land acquisition for the project's execution. In parallel, the Pune-Mumbai Expressway Missing Link Project aims to reduce the distance between Pune and Mumbai by 6 km, cutting travel time by 30 minutes. Similarly, the Pune-Nashik Green Corridor is expected to significantly shorten the current travel duration from 5-6 hours to approximately 2-2.5 hours, enhancing accessibility between the two cities. The highway project is also associated with the semi-high-speed railway initiative under the Railway Ministry’s 'Vision 2020' scheme. While the railway route has received approvals from both Central and State governments, final clearance is still awaited. The initial discussions regarding the highway began two years ago when the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) was directed to conduct a feasibility study. However, debates arose over whether priority should be given to the high-speed railway or the highway project. MSRDC engaged a consultant to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the highway. Opposition from farmers led to further deliberations, contributing to project delays. The Pune-Nashik Green Corridor is expected to improve industrial, agricultural, and IT connectivity. With Pune serving as a major IT and industrial hub and Nashik experiencing growth in IT and agro-based industries, the project is designed to enhance regional connectivity and economic development. MSRDC has incorporated the initiative into the Samruddhi Mahamarg network to support broader infrastructure expansion. News source: The Free Press Journal