Pune-Ahmednagar Road To Become Signal Free? Minister Samant Calls Meeting On Saturday

Sumit Singh

Pune, 20th December 2023: In response to the persistent issue of traffic congestion in the Yerwada to Wagholi area on the Pune-Ahmednagar road, Minister Uday Samant has convened a meeting scheduled for Saturday, 23rd December, to explore solutions and make the road signal-free. The initiative follows the demand made by Sunil Tingre, MLA of Vadgaon Sheri constituency, who has been advocating for measures to alleviate the traffic woes in Pune.

Highlighting the severity of traffic congestion in Pune, MLA Tingre pointed out that out of the 300 km of roads in the municipality, only 140 km have been developed to date, leaving the rest impassable. He emphasized the lack of action by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in developing alternative roads. MLA Tingre cited the example of the Shivne to Kharadi road, identified as an alternative to the frequently congested Ahmednagar road since 1997, which remains only on paper. Ongoing traffic jams in Santnagar in Lohgaon further underscore the need for alternative routes, especially with the impending flyover work at Vishrantwadi Chowk.

Addressing the situation, Tingre called attention to the proposed road under Section 205, designed to connect 509 Chowk to Dhanori, for which land is yet to be acquired. He also expressed concerns about traffic jam around Maruti Mandir in Dhanori village and criticized the PMC for failing to issue notices for land acquisition, despite ownership of land in the area.

In response to these challenges, MLA Tingre demanded a special meeting to address traffic congestion and to strategize making the Ahmednagar road signal-free, akin to the old Pune-Mumbai road from Dapodi to Nigdi. Minister Samant has pledged to conduct this meeting, scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.

Tingre further alleged that the Pune Municipal Corporation’s focus on developing 160 km of cement concrete roads through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) primarily benefits builders. He accused the PMC of neglecting road development in slum areas and failing to utilize budget allocations for pothole repairs. As a result, Tingre urged action against officials who neglect pothole-filling duties despite having the necessary funds.