Pune: PMC Moves Ahead on Katraj-Kondhwa Road as Landowners Agree to Acquisition

Katraj, 7th December 2024: The long-pending issue of widening the Katraj-Kondhwa road, a critical stretch plagued by persistent traffic congestion, is finally moving towards resolution. The road, notorious for long vehicle queues during peak hours, has been a source of frustration for commuters and residents for years.
Efforts to widen the road, which have been raised at both the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha levels, are now gaining traction. To address the growing traffic woes, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has accelerated initiatives for the land acquisition process. Seven landowners have submitted proposals to the municipality, expressing their willingness to provide land for the road widening project. The PMC plans to expedite the possession of these lands after due examination.
The PMC has prioritized constructing a flyover on the Katraj-Kondhwa road to ease traffic congestion. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has assured financial and technical assistance for the project, provided the PMC completes the required land acquisition. During a recent meeting with Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, Gadkari reiterated his commitment to supporting the initiative.
The road widening project, originally approved on October 31, 2018, faced significant delays due to land acquisition hurdles. Currently, the work between Rajas Society and Khadi Machine Chowk in Kondhwa has been progressing in phases, including the construction of grade separators and broader road stretches.
The PMC is also working on streamlining the land acquisition process. A single-window scheme is set to be launched to facilitate quicker approvals and ease the procedural challenges involved in acquiring land.
The readiness of landowners to provide land marks a significant milestone in resolving the traffic nightmare on this crucial route. Once completed, the widened road and flyover are expected to drastically reduce congestion, offering much-needed relief to daily commuters and enhancing connectivity in the area.