Pune Municipal Corporation Greenlights Major Infrastructure Projects to Combat Traffic Woes
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken a significant step forward in addressing the city's persistent traffic challenges. The standing committee of the PMC has recently approved a crucial flyover project at Mahatma Phule Chowk, a move expected to bring much-needed relief to commuters and residents grappling with intense traffic snarls in the Keshavnagar, Mundhwa, Hadapsar, and Manjari areas.
Longstanding Public Demand and Activism
For over two years, residents have been holding agitations and protests, demanding action on this long-pending issue. The roads converging at Mahatma Phule Chowk are situated close to the Solapur highway and are heavily used by large vehicles, leading to perennially busy stretches. The frustration culminated in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the civic administration, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. Sandeep Lonkar, who filed the PIL, emphasized the necessity for PMC to prioritize road widening and construct a subway or flyover at the junction, citing massive growth in the region.
Traffic Bottlenecks and Urban Growth
Commuters report frequent traffic jams at this intersection, particularly for those traveling from Magarpatta towards Kharadi via Mundhwa, and from Ghorpadi and Koregaon Park towards Keshavnagar and Manjari. The traffic volume in areas like Mundhwa, Magarpatta, Keshavnagar, Manjari, and Kharadi has increased exponentially due to the high density of IT companies and rapid urbanisation. Additionally, the Hadapsar-Kharadi Bypass serves as a vital link connecting the Solapur highway and the Ahilyanagar highway, further intensifying congestion.
Additional Bridge Project in Sasanenagar
In a related development, the standing committee has also approved a proposed 24-meter bridge near Sasanenagar, aimed at reducing traffic problems in Hadapsar. The existing bridges over the new canal on the main road connecting Pune peth areas, Hadapsar, and Sasanenagar were originally constructed at three different levels, with one becoming dangerous. To mitigate accidents caused by steep gradients, there is a proposal to remove all old, dilapidated bridges and construct a single, unified bridge as per the development plan.
Vaishali Bankar, an area corporator, stated that the new facility will resolve multiple issues, including traffic jams and accidents, once the unified bridge is built. A senior PMC official confirmed that the process, including general body approval and tender floating, will be completed before construction commences, ensuring timely implementation of these critical projects.
