Pune: University Road flyover demolition may be completed in lockdown, traffic diversion plan also released

Flyover E Square Pune University chowk
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Sumit Singh

Shivajinagar, 14 July 2020: The work of demolishing the flyover at Pune University Chowk-E Square chowk began today morning. The officials said that it will take about 20 days to complete the task. However, Pune police have asked them to expedite the work in the 10-days lockdown period due to the absence of too many vehicles on the road.

Earlier this month, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had given a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) for demolishing the flyover to make way for the Pune Metro corridor connecting Shivajinagar to Hinjawadi. People have criticized the PMC for wasting public money as the flyover is being demolished within 15 years of its construction.

A traffic police officer told Punekarnews.in, “We were told that it will take about 20 days to complete the work of demolition. However, We have asked them to expedite the process and complete it within the 10 days lockdown as there will not be many vehicles on the road.”

A committee has been appointed to coordinate the work of demolition of the flyover at the Pune University chowk and E-Square chowk. The work will be reviewed daily till the bridge is demolished said, Shivajinagar MLA Siddharth Shirole.

The demolition work of the bridge started today (Tuesday) morning. MLA Shirole visited the place and held discussions with PMRDA Commissioner Suhas Divase, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr Sanjay Shinde, Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) Surendra Deshmukh, PMRDA Chief Engineer Vivek Kharwadkar, and other officials.

Shirole said, “As a people’s representative it is my responsibly to be the watchdog for the people, to ensure that the assurances on timelines and safety protocols given by the State and the PMRDA are strictly adhered to. The administration has assured me that taking advantage of State-enforced lockdown the demolition will be completed in two weeks. Am hopeful that with proper co-ordination between depts the deconstruction phase should cause minimum chaos and inconvenience to local residents and commuters.”

He further said, “I have offered to be an intermediary to help resolve issues of co-ordination between contractor and government departments if they arise, and prevent any delay and thus ensure the demolition takes place in the assured time frame of two weeks. I assure my fellow citizens that I will be monitoring every step till completion of new flyovers. Taking advice and inputs from experts and residents am confident that together we can ensure the government builds the infrastructure that is an effective solution for the next 50 years.”

Pune University E Square flyover traffic diversion