Development along Mumbai-Pune Expressway
As per a report by Hindustan Times (Tue,06 Aug 2013), MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) is planning a commercial development of nearly 1,000 acres of land across the 93-km stretch of the scenic Mumbai-Pune Expressway. If all goes well, the stretch would soon turn into an entertainment and real estate hub.
Joint Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MSRDC, Sonia Sethi, said that the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is the most productive corridor in Mumbai and that the corporation would come out with a comprehensive policy to plan the development of the 1000-acre land owned here by it.
Currently, MSRDC is in grave financial straits, and is burdened with debts of more than Rs. 4 crores. The corporation has over 1000 acres of land across this stretch, which if sold, or given on lease can fetch a pretty amount of revenue to pay off the debt. A well-planned infrastructural development along the corridor is sure to attract investors and in turn, improve revenues.
Features of Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Mumbai-Pune Expressway is India’ s first six-lane tolled stretch that covers a distance of 93 km. The same connects Mumbai with Pune. New levels of speed and safety were introduced with the launch of this expressway, which is one of the most busiest expressways in the country.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway starts at Kalamboli(near Panvel) and ends at Dehu Rd.(near Pune). Built in an efficient manner through scenic mountain ranges of Sahyadri, the stretch is constructed via passes and tunnels. Five interchanges are built on the Expressway. They are Kon (Shedung), Khalapur, Chowk, Kusgaon and Talegaon.
Areas available for development
As per reports provided by MSRDC, an average of 12,000 vehicles ply on the Expressway per day. Corridor planning and Techno-Economic Feasibility report has been prepared by the authority, for the land development along the Expressway. Tenders are invited from those interested.
Areas around the Expressway have a lot of scope for development of facilities like motels, hotels, restaurants, cafes, hospitals, convention centres, service stations, markets, malls and the like. MSRDC have identified some of the sites, which would be ideal for development of such road side facilities, in a profitable and sustainable manner for commercialization. These include:
1. Around 4 hectares of land in Kon, located at a distance of 9.5km from Kalamboli,at the left side of the Pune Corridor
2. Around 12 hectares of land in Bhatan, at a distance of 9.5km from Kalamboli, at the left side of the Pune Corridor
3. Around 22 hectares of land in Madap, located at a distance of 25km from Kalamboli,on top of Madap Tunnel
4.Around 12 hectares of land in Bhatan Dumping, at a distance of 13.8km from Kalamboli, at the left side of the Pune Corridor
5. 10 hectares of land in Sanigaon, on each side of the expressway, lying at a distance of 34.5 km from Kalamboli.
6. Around 20 and 5 hectares of land, at Kusgaon-Dongargaon and Kusgaon Interchange, respectively. The former lies at a distance of 58.5km from Kalamboli and the latter lies below Kusgaon Interchange, at a distance of 54.5km from Kalimboli
Residential Projects along the Mumbai-Pune Expressways
The belt along the Mumbai Pune expressway has been witnessing a growth of infrastructural activities. Being home to and lying in proximity to a number of IT and ITES companies, regions along the Expressway, like Hinjewadi, Wakad, Baner, Bavdhan, Aundh and Kothrud experience an high inflow of IT professionals. This has lead to rise of residential apartments in these areas. The working crowd in these localities mainly consist of people between the age bracket of 25-35 years, who are either singletons or with a compact family. Hence, builders and developers invest in these areas and offer 1BHK and 2BHK apartments, at rates which seem affordable by a double-income family.
A number of residential projects have been launched along the surrounding areas of Mumbai-Pune Expressway, most of which would be available for possession in a couple of years. A number of favorable factors like easy transportation, reduction in travel-time and pollution, fast crossing at Khandala, attract investors to this region.Some of the upcoming projects in the area are Anant Srishti, by Dajikaka Gadgil Developers, featuring 132 residencies ; Lodha Belmondo by Lodha Group, featuring 554 residencies and Elite Green Acres by Elite Landmarks.
