Rs 913.7 crore approved for six-lane flyover over Panchaganga river on Pune-Bengaluru highway

Kolhapur: Union highway minister Nitin Gadkari said on X that Rs 913.7 crore has been approved for a six-lane flyover to be constructed over the Panchaganga river, on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway, to prevent highway traffic from being halted during floods in Kolhapur.The 3.5km pillar bridge, once constructed, will ensure smooth traffic flow on the highway, and to Kolhapur city.The X post by Gadkari read, "The construction of a 3.578 km-long six-lane elevated corridor (flyover) over the Panchaganga river near Kolhapur, on the Kagal-Satara Road on National Highway 48 in Maharashtra, is approved with a provision of Rs 913.70 crore."A six-lane cement service road and Gandhinagar junction will be developed under this flyover. Two underpasses are also approved on both sides of the railway line (to cross the highway)."National Highway 48, which connects Delhi to Chennai, passes through Kolhapur city and provides direct connectivity to major cities like Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru. The area along the Panchaganga river is low-lying and prone to frequent floods. This project will help make traffic safe and smooth in the future," wrote Gadkari.Gadkari also put hashtags #PragatiKaHighway #GatiShakti below the post and tagged the official X handles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, deputy CM Eknath Shinde, deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, BJP Maharashtra, and BJP India.Meanwhile, an official of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, requesting anonymity, said, "Proper division of internal traffic and fast traffic on the national highway will help reduce the number of accidents. Kolhapur is an industrially advanced district, and National Highway 48 is very important for logistics and freight transport. The elevated corridor will reduce the time for freight transport. There will be fuel savings, and industry and trade will gain momentum. After the expansion of the highway is completed, the movement of vehicles will become smoother. It is expected that passengers will save on time and fuel, and the traffic pressure in the city will be reduced. This project is not just a flyover but an important step in the long-term transport planning of Kolhapur."