Pune: Public works minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale on Friday directed officials to take up urgent repairs on the Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur corridor, ordering restoration of 40km of the 54km stretch within two days and repairs on the severely damaged 14km MIDC section within four days.The Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur road, a crucial industrial and traffic corridor, has deteriorated significantly during monsoon, causing hardship to motorists. “Bhosale instructed public works department (PWD) to immediately fill potholes, repair shoulders and carry out necessary restoration work on priority,” a senior PWD official who attended the review meet said on Saturday.Of the total stretch, around 40km has suffered comparatively less damage, while the remaining 14km is in a much worse condition.PWD has also planned to widen nearly 12km of the corridor over the next two months to address rising traffic volumes. Officials said state govt had earlier decided that PWD, instead of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), would undertake repairs on the road for a year, citing the urgency of the work and lessons from last year’s experience.According to the PWD officials, Rs 59 crore was sanctioned for the 54km road project during the tenure of then deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar. “Work orders were issued in Jan 2026 and repairs have begun on some sections. Utility shifting issues and difficulties in procuring bitumen amid global supply disruptions slowed progress,” another official said.With the road’s condition worsening during the monsoon, the department has now accelerated repair works. Bhosale has instructed officials to complete the work within the stipulated deadlines.Meanwhile, a long-term upgrade of the Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur corridor will be taken up by Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), with work expected to begin within the next three months. “The upgradation is likely to increase the road’s traffic-handling capacity and help address recurring congestion and deterioration,’’ the official said.
