Nashik's Dwarka-Datta Mandir road to be six-laned before Simhastha; Centre clears ₹221 crore project

Nashik: With the Simhastha Kumbh Mela approaching and traffic congestion in mind, the way has been cleared to widen the Dwarka Circle to Datta Mandir Chowk stretch of National Highway 60 to six lanes. The regional office of the Union road transport ministry has written to the Nashik Municipal Corporation giving the go-ahead. The ministry gave final approval on June 3, 2026, sanctioning ₹221 crore.

The 5.65 km stretch is currently 24 to 30 metres wide. It will be widened to 45 metres before the Simhastha, with two-lane service roads on both sides of the six-lane carriageway, which is expected to ease congestion between Dwarka and Nashik Road considerably.

The National Highways Authority had required enough land to be made available for a 45-metre road. The corporation has speeded up land acquisition, and the administration says 90% of the land needed is now in hand. The project will be built on the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model.

Of 15 contractors who bid, 12 qualified. One company offered to do the work for ₹138 crore, 38% below the estimate, which will save the corporation about ₹84 crore, municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri said.

Source: Free Press Journal