Pune: Katraj Chowk Flyover Work Stalled, PMC to Expedite Land Acquisition

Pune, 17th December 2024: The issue of traffic congestion on the Katraj-Kondhwa Road, a longstanding concern for citizens, is finally seeing concrete action. While the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated the construction of a flyover at Katraj Chowk to address the problem, a crucial piece of land required for the project remains outside the Corporation’s control, causing delays.

Taking note of the situation, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale has directed the Roads and Land Acquisition Department to expedite the process of acquiring the land.

Currently, work on the flyover has led to the closure of Katraj Chowk. However, the land needed for laying the girders of the flyover remains unacquired, posing hurdles to the project’s progress. To resolve the issue, Dr. Bhosale held a meeting with landowners, including those of seven plots, required for the Kondhwa ramp section of the bridge. During the meeting, landowners reportedly agreed to provide the land in advance on the condition of receiving a formal guarantee, informed Aniruddha Pawaskar, Head of the PMC Road Department.

The Katraj-Kondhwa Road widening project has been stalled for several months, primarily due to delays in land acquisition. This has resulted in severe traffic jams and accidents, creating persistent inconvenience for commuters. Despite a government grant of ₹140 crore allocated for the project, the slow progress has drawn scrutiny.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is also actively reviewing the situation, given the growing concerns around the heavy traffic on this stretch. Taking cognizance of the delays, Municipal Commissioner Dr. Bhosale has emphasized the need for immediate action, directing officials to ensure that the land acquisition process is completed without further delay.