Pune: PMC Makes U-Turn, Opts for Separate Lanes over BRT on Old Pune-Mumbai Road

Pune, 9th January 2024: In a significant shift of plans, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has chosen to deviate from its earlier decision and construct separate lanes for the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) instead of implementing the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route during the widening of the old Pune-Mumbai road in Khadki.

As part of the widening initiative, the old Pune-Mumbai road is set to be expanded to 42 meters. This expansion will include two-and-a-half-meter-wide pedestrian paths on both sides and three-meter-wide separate lanes for vehicular traffic on each side.

The Old Mumbai-Pune highway holds significant importance as a crucial roadway linking Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad city. A 2.1 km stretch within Pune limits, passing through Khadki from the army area, faced a delay in widening due to complexities related to the army’s land acquisition for eight years.

With the resolution of land possession issues, the PMC administration has resumed the road-widening process. The road department initially proposed a BRT route in the middle of the road as part of the widening plan. Presently, 30 per cent of the road widening work has been completed, and the entire project is expected to conclude by December 2024.

The earlier plan included a BRT route from COEP to Nigdi on the old Mumbai-Pune highway. While the BRT service has been successfully implemented within the limits of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, obstacles in land possession within the Pune Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction delayed its commencement. However, in a recent turn of events, the decision to implement the BRT route has been revoked, and separate lanes for buses will be constructed on both sides of the road.

To segregate the main road from the PMPML route, an additional small divider will be constructed. This adjustment aims to facilitate smoother traffic flow and enhance safety for pedestrians and motorists alike.

Addressing the change in plans, Additional Commissioner Vikas Dhakne emphasized that the decision to construct separate lanes for buses aligns with the evolving requirements of the widening project.

I have spoken to Hon. PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumarji, he has assured me that contrary to what's been report in the media there are no plans for a BRT Route on the widened Old Mumbai-Pune Highway / Khadki.#Pune #BRTS@ThePuneMirror @punekarnews @lokmat @PMCPune @aparanjape

— Siddharth Shirole (Modi ka Parivar) (@SidShirole) January 9, 2024