# MSIDC begins work on Nashik ring road, 12-month deadline set 2026-09-20T13:21:38+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Construction has started on seven stretches of the 66-kilometre Nashik outer ring road, with the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) awarding contracts worth ₹7,613 crore. Packages include a 14.02-km southern stretch by SRM Contractors for ₹483 crore and a 10.73-km section under other firms, each with a 12-month completion timeline. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways approved ₹5,805 crore in January 2026 for a 47.9-km segment of the 77.4-km total alignment, with ₹2,650 crore for land and ₹3,155 crore for construction. The four-lane road, built to six-lane capacity, will include three major bridges, 18 minor bridges, 29 underpasses and seven viaducts. Authorities target completion by March 2027 ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The alignment passes through 18 villages, requiring 305 hectares of land and demolition of about 27 houses, to divert through traffic from Nashik city centre. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The project is being fast-tracked for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which can draw over 10 crore pilgrims and will test Nashik's infrastructure. Under the MSIDC's standard model, contractors face penalties for missing the 12-month deadline, tying the ring road's completion to the religious event. Land acquisition across 305 hectares and 27 house demolitions remain key risks: delays in compensation or local opposition could push back the March 2027 target. The road's six-lane-ready design mirrors other bypass projects like the Bengaluru peripheral ring road, which also faced land hurdles. Watch for the next milestone: completion of land acquisition for all 18 villages before the monsoon season. ## Coverage - swarajyamag.com Tags: Maharashtra, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, MSIDC, Nashik, Simhastha Kumbh Mela Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/msidc-begins-work-on-nashik-ring-road-12-month-deadline-set/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/msidc-begins-work-on-nashik-ring-road-12-month-deadline-set/#story-in-brief