Pune: PMC Struggles For Funds To Complete Missing Link Project
Pune, 20th January 2025: Pune has been ranked as the fourth most congested city in India, raising serious concerns about the growing traffic chaos. To address this, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) initiated the Missing Link Project, a comprehensive plan to complete unconnected and incomplete roads across the city. However, a lack of response from the State Government to funding requests has delayed the project, worsening the city’s traffic woes.
According to the PMC, the city’s development plan includes numerous roads that remain incomplete due to challenges in land acquisition, forcing commuters to take lengthy detours. A study by the civic administration identified 678 missing links stretching over 459 kilometers. Completing these would enable Pune’s road network to function at its full capacity of 1,384 kilometers, significantly reducing congestion.
The PMC estimates ₹895 crore is required for land acquisition and an additional ₹62 crore for road development. Struggling with limited financial resources, the PMC has requested a total of ₹637 crore from the State Government over the past six months. However, despite submitting three separate proposals, no funds have been sanctioned.
In June 2024, ₹100 crore was requested for five missing roads. In August, the PMC sought ₹417 crore under the Urban Upgradation Scheme. By October, another ₹120 crore was sought for seven critical links near airports and railway stations. All these appeals remain unanswered.
The delays in completing these roads have led to worsening traffic conditions, increased pollution levels, and mounting frustrations among citizens. Adding to the problem, the financial strain on the PMC has limited its ability to independently fund road widening and land acquisition.
Observers and activists have criticized the lack of political will among local representatives to advocate for citywide development. It is seen that the representatives seem more focused on their constituencies rather than addressing city-wide issues. This lack of unified effort is further stalling progress.
