Crucial works gather pace to make 4 lanes on Hadapsar-Dive Ghat highway in Pune
Pune: Works to make four lanes on the Hadapsar to Dive Ghat road, part of the Palkhi Marg project, have gathered pace.
The road widening activity is crucial since not only will it cater to traffic towards prominent towns like Jejuri and Pandharpur, but ease access from Pune city to the proposed Purandar airport — located ahead of Saswad.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has undertaken construction of bridges across the entire 14km-long Dive Ghat stretch which is being widened.
The existing two-lane road from Hadapsar to Saswad has been insufficient to handle increasing traffic, especially in the ghat section. Frequent commuters have complained of severe traffic congestion due to the narrow carriageway. Increase in traffic along the stretch is anticipated in the coming years, especially since the state govt is standing firm on its decision to build the airport ahead of Saswad in the Purandar area.
Commuters said the stretch from Hadapsar to Saswad has remained neglected over the last many years, despite the heavy traffic. The road was considered for widening only recently and gained importance since it will be the main access road to the proposed airport in Purandar. They said work must be completed at the earliest without unnecessary delays.
Local resident Vishal Raskar said widening of the ghat section and the stretch to Hadapsar will reduce travel time considerably.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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While the local traffic police department has introduced small diversions to manage the traffic, the NHAI has been carrying out controlled blasting in the ghat section to make space to add two more lanes to the existing carriageway. The ghat has the hill on one side and a gorge on the other.
Officials said barricades are installed at all locations where blasting and widening are underway. Traffic is suspended for the period when the blasting, usually planned in the afternoon, takes place since the traffic flow is comparatively less.
Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari flagged off the road widening last year. In Dec 2023, the Centre sanctioned a fund of Rs793 crore for the plan. Meanwhile, the Palkhi Marg project has reached the last stage of construction work.
Box:
Clear encroachment to avoid traffic snarls: Local residents
Local residents of areas like Hadapsar, Bhekrainagar, Phursungi, Uruli Devachi and Wadaki, which are located along the Hadapsar-Dive Ghat road, said the administration should clear encroachments along with the widening work. Mahesh Bhadale, a local resident, said there are chronic congestion spots — such as Bhekrainagar, Phursungi and Mantarwadi junction — where the administration should construct flyovers.
The work should be included in the ongoing road widening of Palkhi Marg.
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