Pune’s Traffic Woes: PMC’s Strategic Flyover Plan To Ease Congestion
Pune, 2nd September 2023: Due to the escalating traffic congestion on the roadways surrounding Sinhagad Road and Ahmednagar Road, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has unveiled plans to construct flyovers or grade separators at crucial intersections in Yerwada, Dandekar Bridge Chowk, Bindu Madhav Thackeray Chowk, and Shastrinagar Chowk. The process of appointing a consultant for these projects has commenced, and it is expected that construction will commence in the upcoming year.
The surge in the number of vehicles on the roads has rendered them insufficient to meet the growing demand. Currently, traversing a mere 10 kilometers takes a minimum of half an hour. In response to this challenge, alternative routes are being developed through the construction of vital intersections, flyovers, and level crossings. Ongoing projects encompass the Rajaram Bridge to Funtime Theater on Sinhgad Road, a flyover at University Chowk on Ganeshkhind Road, and the expansion and level separation of Katraj-Kondhwa Road.
Progress on the flyover along Sinhagad Road stands at 50 percent completion. Dandekar Bridge Chowk is a critical convergence point for traffic from Deccan, Swargate, Katraj, and Sinhgad Roads, emphasizing its significance. Additionally, there is a proposed Khadakwasla to Hadapsar-Kharadi metro line in the works, which necessitates careful planning for a flyover or level crossing that aligns with the metro’s pillar placement. The PMC has initiated correspondence with Mahametro to facilitate this coordination.
The confusion surrounding right turns from Nagar Road towards Golf Club Chowk, combined with heavy vehicular traffic, has led to sluggish traffic flow in the Shastrinagar Chowk area. An in-depth study of this intersection will determine whether a flyover, level separator, or a combination of both should be constructed.
Sangamwadi Road, starting from Patil Estate, is a vital route connecting Shivajinagar to Nagar Road, the Airport, and Vishrantwadi. Given its convenience for motorists, it experiences heavy use. During peak hours, motorists often find themselves stuck at traffic signals, raising concerns about potential future traffic congestion. To preempt this issue, the PMC has initiated planning for the construction of a flyover or level divider to establish an alternative route.
The PMC has initiated the tendering process for the appointment of consultants for these three intersections. A decision in this regard is expected within the next two months. A budget allocation of Rs 40 crore has been earmarked for this work in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The appointed consultant will conduct a traffic survey of all three intersections and submit a comprehensive project plan (DPR), taking into consideration available space and determining which flyovers or level separators should be constructed.
Ajay Vaise, Executive Engineer of the Project Department, anticipates that construction will commence in the coming year, based on the time required for these preparatory steps.
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