Nitin Gadkari Approves ₹624 Crore Infrastructure Projects for Kolhapur

Review of National Highway Development in Kolhapur District

Solutions for Traffic Congestion and Flooding on Highways Soon

Kolhapur : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, reviewed the progress of national highway development projects in Kolhapur district at the Kolhapur Airport. To address traffic congestion in the city and flood-related issues on highways, he granted in-principle approval for a ₹624 crore infrastructure project. This includes the construction of flyovers in the city and basket bridges on national highways. He also directed officials to submit a design plan immediately. Present at the meeting were MP Dhananjay Mahadik, MLAs Amal Mahadik and Ashokrao Mane, District Collector Amol Yedge, Municipal Commissioner K. Manjulakshmi, National Highway Project Director Sanjay Kadam, and other officials.

The expansion of a 10.8 km stretch on National Highway 166 from Yavluj to Shivaji Bridge was approved, including height elevation in flood-prone areas and the installation of large concrete boxes to facilitate water drainage and prevent traffic disruption. Additionally, in-principle approval was granted for a 6.8 km flyover from Shivaji Bridge to Tawade Hotel in Kolhapur city. The necessary funding for lighting, drainage, and other essential works will be managed by the municipal corporation and the state government.

For better connectivity, Gadkari proposed linking the city’s flyovers with a 2 km connecting road on municipal land along the Gaganbawda to Ratnagiri route. He also instructed officials to remove obstacles in the ongoing Satara-Kagal road project and ensure its completion by December 2025.

Further, instructions were given to resolve land acquisition issues along the Ratnagiri-Kolhapur highway. District Collector Amol Yedge assured that all land-related matters would be settled within eight days and pending compensations disbursed within a month to facilitate project completion. Consequently, the Amba-Pajharwadi and Pajharwadi-Chokak sections of the national highway are expected to be completed by April 2026. Based on local demands, in-principle approval was also granted for five underpasses and a 7 km service road on the Amba-Pajharwadi section, along with five more underpasses and a 17 km service road on the Pajharwadi-Chokak section. A proposal will be submitted to the central government for final approval.

Expressing gratitude to Minister Gadkari, MP Dhananjay Mahadik and local MLAs highlighted that these projects would significantly ease traffic congestion in Kolhapur and benefit residents and tourists alike. Additionally, a proposal for a ring road in Gadhinglaj and Ajara was put forward to further improve connectivity in the region.