Maharashtra Budget 2026 Focuses on Pune’s Infrastructure Growth

Metro expansion, new highways, rail upgrades and a proposed tech hub aim to reduce traffic and boost jobs in the region.

Mumbai, March 6, 2026: The Maharashtra Budget 2026 has announced several major infrastructure projects for Pune, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighting plans to improve transport, reduce traffic congestion and support the city’s rapid growth.

One of the key announcements is the expansion of the Pune Metro under Phase 2. The government has approved extensions of existing routes including Khadakwasla–Swargate and Hadapsar–Kharadi.

New metro lines from Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor and Hadapsar Bus Depot to Saswad Road have also been approved. In addition, an 11-km Ramwadi–Wagholi metro corridor will be developed to ease heavy traffic on Ahmednagar Road.

Authorities are also preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a 54-km twin underground metro corridor connecting Yerawada to Katraj and Hinjawadi to Sinhagad Road, which is expected to improve cross-city travel.

The budget also focuses on improving rail and road connectivity. A third and fourth railway line between Pune and Lonavala will be developed with an investment of ₹5,100 crore, benefiting commuters from Pimpri-Chinchwad, Akurdi and Talegaon.

On the road infrastructure front, a 53-km elevated road between Pune and Shirur will be constructed at a cost of ₹7,514 crore. Plans are also underway for the Talegaon–Chakan elevated road and the six-laning of the Chakan–Shikrapur route, which will support the industrial belt.

The government has also proposed a 192-km greenfield highway between Shirur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with an estimated investment of ₹14,886 crore.

To strengthen aviation facilities, the state will set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to speed up the development of the proposed Purandar International Airport.

In the agriculture sector, the Nira–Karha river linking project will be implemented to address water shortages in drought-prone areas of Baramati and Purandar talukas, improving irrigation and drinking water supply.

The budget also includes funding to preserve Pune’s cultural heritage. Development work will be carried out at Shivsrushti in Ambegaon, while conservation work will be undertaken at the birthplace and residence of Sant Tukaram in Dehu.

In a major push for the technology sector, the government plans to create a $50-billion Media Tech and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) hub across Pune and Mumbai. The initiative is expected to generate over three million job opportunities and support the creation of 400 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and new innovation cities.

Officials believe these projects will strengthen Pune’s position as a leading technology and innovation hub while improving transport and infrastructure across the region.