Pune: High-Level Meeting Held to Resolve Baner-Balewadi Traffic Woes; Minister Chandrakant Patil Orders Immediate Action

Baner, 12th July 2025: A high-level meeting was convened to address long-standing traffic congestion, encroachments, incomplete roads, and lack of public amenities in the Baner-Balewadi area. Senior officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pune Police, Traffic Branch, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) were present to discuss urgent interventions.

The meeting was chaired by Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister and Kothrud MLA Chandrakant Patil, who took serious note of public complaints and issued clear directives to all departments. Patil instructed that all key issues must be resolved on priority before the upcoming festive season begins.

Citizens raised concerns about traffic mismanagement and lack of infrastructure at several key junctions such as Jupiter Chowk, Ganpati Mandir Chowk, Dussehra Chowk, Mamata Chowk, CM International School, Sai Chowk, and Radha Chowk. Issues highlighted included poor signal coordination, shortage of traffic wardens, illegal encroachments, stalled roadwork, waterlogging, need for new substations, and the nuisance caused by liquor shops.

Residents also emphasized specific grievances like persistent water accumulation near Nanavare Bridge, encroachments on footpaths, need for bus stops, repair of roads and footpaths, pruning of overgrown trees, and drainage problems beneath metro bridges. In response, administrative officials promised swift action and coordination across departments.

The long-pending issue of the service road underpass near Sadanand Residency Hotel was also raised. NHAI officials were instructed to begin work immediately, with Patil directing that the project be completed on a war footing.

The meeting saw participation from a large number of Baner-Balewadi Federation representatives, as well as residents and housing society members from Pashan, Someshwarwadi, Sutarwadi, Sus, and Mhalunge.

Local BJP leaders and office-bearers were also present. The meeting marked a strong push for inter-departmental coordination and reinforced the need for timely execution of civic works in the fast-growing residential and commercial belt of Baner-Balewadi.