Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inspected the Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg highways in Pune to review construction progress.
These pilgrimage corridors are designed to integrate spiritual travel with modern infrastructure. By focusing on sustainability and affordability, the government aims to create a model for green transit that supports large-scale religious gatherings without degrading the local environment.
During the ground inspection on Saturday, Sept. 21, Gadkari reviewed the development of NH-965G, known as the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg [1], and NH-965, the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg [1]. The minister evaluated the implementation of sustainability measures, including water conservation and extensive tree planting, to transform the routes into green corridors [2].
"The project is a source of spiritual inspiration and will become a green corridor with special tree plantations and water‑conservation measures," Gadkari said [2].
Beyond environmental goals, Gadkari focused on the economic accessibility of the roads. He said that the ministry is prioritizing affordable tolls to ensure the corridors remain accessible to the public [2].
"We are focusing on sustainability with tree plantations and affordable tolls," Gadkari said [2].
The minister confirmed that the construction of both the Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram Palkhi Margs has reached completion [3]. He said that the infrastructure is scheduled to be officially inaugurated by December [3].
"The Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram Palkhi Margs have been completed and will be inaugurated by December," Gadkari said [3].
“The project is a source of spiritual inspiration and will become a green corridor”
The completion of NH-965 and NH-965G represents a strategic effort by the Indian government to formalize pilgrimage routes into national highway assets. By combining 'green corridor' sustainability with affordable tolling, the project attempts to balance the high traffic demands of spiritual tourism with environmental preservation in the Maharashtra region.
