The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has officially handed over the land required for the ramp of the long-pending Katraj Chowk flyover towards Kondhwa. This development clears the last major hurdle that had stalled the project, which connects the Katraj-Dehu Road bypass to Katraj-Kondhwa Road, for nearly two years.
Project Details and Expected Benefits
Once completed, the flyover is expected to significantly ease chronic traffic congestion at Katraj Chowk, a major bottleneck for several years. An official stated, “About 230 metres of land was required for the project, and all necessary plots are now being transferred to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for further execution.”
In addition to the flyover, PMC is also working on acquiring land for widening the Katraj-Kondhwa Road stretch beyond the flyover. The official added, “We are hopeful that both key infrastructure projects (the flyover and the road widening up to Pisoli Chowk) will gain momentum in the coming months.”
Resident Dissatisfaction Over Delays
Despite the progress, residents and frequent commuters have expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged delays. Many have questioned the administration’s handling of land acquisition and project timelines. Katraj resident Suraj Gite said the delays reflected poor planning on the part of PMC. “The flyover work has been ongoing for nearly two years, while the road widening project started almost eight years ago. Deadlines have been repeatedly postponed despite assurances and site visits by several politicians,” he said.
Political and Administrative Push
Baramati MP Supriya Sule has also been actively pursuing the project, urging authorities to expedite the work to provide relief to thousands of commuters using the route daily. Sources indicate that with all land parcels now secured, the project should move to a fast-track phase.
Traffic Management and Future Plans
Meanwhile, PMC has begun developing a service road to manage traffic during the ongoing construction work, aiming to minimise inconvenience. The civic body’s road department has also indicated that widening work will commence on all plots currently in PMC’s possession. To facilitate land acquisition, PMC has already transferred approximately Rs 196 crore to the district administration for compensating landowners.
