Maharashtra has accelerated repair work on the Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur section of National Highway 548-D, following damage caused by the monsoon and concerns over traffic movement along the important industrial and freight corridor. The state government has set short deadlines for repairing damaged portions, while plans are also underway for widening and a larger upgrade of the route.
The highway covers around 54 km and connects several industrial areas in Maharashtra. The route carries substantial freight and local traffic, particularly because of the industrial activity around Chakan and the MIDC belt. Deterioration during the monsoon has led authorities to increase the pace of repair work.
The Public Works Department (PWD) is currently responsible for repairing the highway under instructions from Public Works Minister Shivendrasinh Raje Bhosale. Of the total 54-km stretch, around 40 km has comparatively less damage and is expected to undergo repairs within two days. The remaining 14 km, which passes through the MIDC industrial area, requires more extensive work.
The damaged 14-km section will undergo pothole filling, shoulder repairs and additional earthwork. Authorities have set a target of completing these works within four days. The short deadlines are intended to improve road conditions during the ongoing monsoon and reduce problems faced by commuters and freight operators.
Along with immediate repairs, the state government has planned the widening of around 12 km of the highway. The widening work is expected to be carried out over the next two months and is aimed at addressing increasing traffic volumes on the route.
The PWD took over responsibility for repairs on the highway for a period of one year instead of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The decision followed concerns about the condition of the road during the previous monsoon. A total allocation of Rs 59 crore was approved for repairs across the 54-km stretch as well as widening at selected locations.
Although work orders were issued in January 2026, implementation faced delays due to several factors. Utility lines located along the highway created challenges for construction activities. The availability of asphalt was another issue, with procurement affected by the prevailing war-like situation. These factors slowed progress before the condition of parts of the highway deteriorated further during the current monsoon.
The government has now instructed agencies to accelerate pending works so that damaged portions can be restored as quickly as possible. Pothole repairs and shoulder restoration are expected to provide an immediate improvement, while widening work will address capacity requirements on selected sections.
However, the state is also looking beyond temporary repairs. For a longer-term solution, the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) will undertake a broader upgrade of the Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur route. The permanent improvement project is expected to begin within three months.
The proposed MSIDC intervention is intended to provide a more comprehensive improvement of the highway rather than relying only on periodic maintenance. The route’s importance to the industrial belt means that road quality has implications for the movement of goods, workers and commercial vehicles.
The combination of immediate monsoon repairs, selective widening and the proposed permanent upgrade is expected to improve the highway in stages. The immediate PWD works will focus on restoring damaged portions, while the widening and MSIDC project are expected to address traffic capacity and longer-term infrastructure requirements.
The Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur corridor remains an important road link for Maharashtra’s industrial and freight movement. Timely completion of the planned works will therefore be important for maintaining connectivity and reducing disruption for businesses and road users along the route.
