Pune’s Katraj-Kondhwa Road Expansion Faces New Challenges as PMC Considers Widening to 84 Metres

Katraj, 3rd December 2024: The Katraj-Kondhwa Road, a crucial three-kilometre stretch that links the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park area with rapidly developing residential and commercial zones, has long been plagued by severe traffic congestion. Vehicles are often seen crawling bumper to bumper throughout the day, much to the frustration of commuters.

In response to a growing number of citizen complaints, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) initiated a road widening project in December 2018, aiming to expand the road from 28 metres to 84 metres. However, the project faced significant delays, primarily due to challenges in land acquisition. In 2023, PMC revised the plan, reducing the proposed road width to 50 metres. Work on this adjusted project began in the same year, making modest progress over the last 12 months.

Now, the PMC is reconsidering its original plan and is looking to restore the road’s width to 84 metres. Officials have turned to a new strategy to acquire the necessary land, encouraging large landowners to accept transferable development rights (TDRs). “This will enable us to secure the required land without significant delays,” explained an official involved in the project. “Additionally, we are in discussions with the state government for funds to provide cash compensation to smaller property owners.”

Rajendra Bhosale, the municipal commissioner, expressed optimism that the Centre would provide financial assistance through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). “Once the PMC completes the land acquisition process, the NHAI is expected to cover the construction costs,” Bhosale said.

PMC officials noted that the state government had initially allocated Rs 200 crore for land acquisition, releasing Rs 140 crore in September. To date, the PMC has utilized Rs 48 crore. However, officials also highlighted that while the funds are sufficient for a 50-metre road, expanding the road to 84 metres will require an additional Rs 160 crore. “We would need about 2.88 lakh square metres of land to complete the road as originally planned,” an official explained.

Work on the road has already seen some progress, with service lines being laid along nearly half of the stretch. The construction of an underpass and a flyover is also underway.

With the expansion plan back on the table, residents and officials alike hope that the long-awaited project will soon be completed, easing traffic woes in one of Pune’s busiest corridors.