Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, announced the sanction of Rs 221.52 crore for the six-laning of a key stretch on National Highway 60 in Nashik, Maharashtra, along with the construction of two-lane service roads on both sides. The project covers the Dwarka Circle – Upnagar Naka – Datta Mandir Chowk corridor and is aimed at easing traffic congestion in one of Maharashtra's fastest-growing cities.

Context

Gadkari's post, written in Marathi, states: 'Nashik yethil Rashtriya Mahamarg-60 varil Dwarka Circle – Upnagar Naka – Datta Mandir Chowk ya margache 6-padarikarana karnyasathi' ('For six-laning the Dwarka Circle – Upnagar Naka – Datta Mandir Chowk route on National Highway 60 in Nashik') — a sanction of Rs 221.52 crore has been approved. The project also includes the construction of two-lane service roads on both sides of the widened highway, a feature increasingly standard in urban NH upgrades to separate local and through traffic.

The minister listed five core objectives: reducing travel time, ensuring smooth traffic flow, strengthening road safety, supporting Smart City goals, and enhancing connectivity ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela in the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar region.

Policy Backdrop

The sanction is positioned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, launched in 2021 to synchronise road, rail and other infrastructure projects across central ministries and state governments. The hashtags #PragatiKaHighway and #GatiShakti in the post signal its alignment with this overarching framework.

The project also fits within the broader Bharatmala Pariyojana, approved in 2017, which targets the development of over 80,000 km of national highways and expressways with an emphasis on removing congestion on key urban corridors. Six-laning with flanking service roads has become a signature template under this programme for city-level NH stretches.

Stakeholders and Impact

Nashik is a major commercial and religious hub in Maharashtra, and the NH-60 corridor through the city carries significant daily traffic between residential and commercial zones. The addition of service roads is expected to reduce conflict between local commuters and long-distance highway users, directly improving road safety outcomes.

The most time-sensitive driver for this upgrade is the Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, which is scheduled to be held in the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar region in 2027. Millions of pilgrims are expected to use road networks in and around Nashik, placing extraordinary demand on existing infrastructure. Pre-event connectivity upgrades of this kind follow a well-established pattern seen ahead of previous Kumbh Melas and other large congregations.

The project also directly supports Nashik's Smart City designation, with improved road geometry and service road separation contributing to urban mobility goals set under that programme.

What's Next

With the financial sanction now in place, the focus shifts to land acquisition, tendering and construction timelines on the Dwarka Circle – Datta Mandir Chowk stretch. Given the 2027 Kumbh Mela deadline, project execution will need to proceed at pace to deliver usable infrastructure before the congregation begins. Observers will also watch for follow-up sanctions on adjoining sections of NH-60 or the parallel NH-160 corridor in the region, as connectivity upgrades for large events typically extend beyond a single stretch.