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Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Shastrinagar flyover work yet to begin eight months after work order
The construction of the 'Y-shaped' flyover and grade separator at Shastrinagar Chowk has hit delay, with the traffic diversion plan still awaiting final approval. Despite the work order issued over eight months ago, construction is yet to begin. Preliminary work like soil testing and traffic surveys began in August 2024 and the work order was issued in October. (Representative Photo) Preliminary work like soil testing and traffic surveys began in August 2024 and the work order was issued in October. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) senior engineer said, 'We are waiting for the final traffic diversion plan. The palkhi procession and traffic pressure made it difficult to begin work now.' Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Amol Zende said, 'We have not approved the diversion plan or issued the no objection certificate (NoC). This is a critical junction, and due to the monsoon, work cannot begin. We are planning a diversion plan.' The project, planned four years ago, had to be redesigned due to changes on the ground. Initially, road widening was required because of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) lane. But after the Ahmednagar Road BRT was dismantled, PMC got 7 metres of space, and widening was no longer needed. 'We got the work order in October last year but couldn't start work due to the traffic department's delay in giving the NoC. We plan to begin work by the end of this month,' said Shrikant Gaikwad, executive engineer, PMC. 'To reduce congestion, we will first build the grade separator. Traffic will be diverted from Shastrinagar to Golf Course Road via Karne Road near Don Bosco School. We've also cleared roadside encroachments and widened the road,' he said. The project also required clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as it is near the historic Aga Khan Palace. PMC gave a presentation to the National Monuments Authority in April 2024. Both central and state archaeology departments later approved the project.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pune traffic branch writes to PMC about trouble spots on Palkhi route
The Pune Traffic Branch has submitted a list of trouble spots along the Wari route to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), highlighting areas affected by rubble, blocked drainages, and overgrown trees with branches hanging dangerously over the roads. According to the letter, special attention needs to be given to the safety of the warkaris during their passage through the city. In addition to this, a letter has been sent to the divisional commissioner urging prompt completion of the necessary repairs and maintenance along the route. The letter stresses that the PMC must prioritise urgent repairs, including the removal of rubble and garbage, unblocking drainage lines, cutting dangerous tree branches, and addressing potholes and other road-related issues. The route in question stretches from Vishrantwadi to Hadapsar and onward to Kunjirwadi, with many of the problematic areas falling under the jurisdiction of the civic body. The letter highlights several critical issues along the Palkhi route. It points out numerous potholes between Bopkhel Phata and Dutta Temple, where drainage lines are frequently clogged. Additionally, the stretch from Harris Bridge to Sancheti Hospital is reported to have garbage dumped on both sides, while Wakdewadi Road is dotted with potholes. The traffic department has also raised concerns about open drainages near the Engineering College, which pose significant risks to the warkaris. Commenting on the development, DCP (Traffic) Amol Zende said, 'We have given a list of all the obstacles to the PMC and also the divisional commissioner, informing about the challenges before the traffic police in managing the Wari procession. We are hopeful that the civic body will take immediate action in the larger interest of safety and security of the warkaris.' Meanwhile, social activist Jaymala Dhankikar allayed fears that PMC's lack of professionalism in discharging duties would cause suffering to the warkaris. PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said, 'All the necessary instructions have been given to the departments concerned to complete and expedite the work before the Wari procession begins in the city,' he said. The Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur will commence in Pune on June 19, 2025. This year, the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will depart from Alandi on the evening of June 19, while the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will begin its journey from Dehu on June 18, 2025.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
PMC proposes reducing parking spaces on 32 major roads
PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has proposed reducing parking spaces on 32 major roads across the city to ease growing traffic congestion. The civic body has also suggested strict action against private buses and the introduction of a 'No Vehicle Day' in government offices and large companies. However, the civic administration has simultaneously made it clear that traffic management cannot be the responsibility of the municipal corporation alone and that the police department, too, must shoulder its share of the burden. A senior official from the PMC road department said that the civic body has already acted on many suggestions made by the Pune traffic police last year to reduce congestion on key roads. 'We raised all the important points to solve traffic problems on major roads identified by the traffic police. On Nagar Road, Solapur Road, Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar and Koregaon Park, the traffic police have already implemented diversions. They have also asked us to remove encroachments, widen roads and junctions, and repair footpaths. We have started work on these roads. Some areas are already seeing positive results, and vehicle speed has improved,' the official said. Furthermore, a letter has been drafted and sent to the PMC commissioner for approval, the official said. 'In the letter, we have made several suggestions to the traffic police, especially about reducing parking spaces on 32 major roads to ease traffic. However, it is important to note that the traffic police are responsible for marking roadside parking spaces like P1 and P2 zones,' the official said. The PMC, in the draft letter to be sent to the city police following the municipal commissioner's approval, has proposed several actionable steps that fall under the police's jurisdiction. These include stricter enforcement in 'no parking' zones, action against illegally operating private buses, reduction of parking zones, and a request to the state government to cap the number of private vehicles in the city among others. The letter has been sent to the municipal commissioner for approval. Meanwhile, Amol Zende, deputy municipal commissioner (traffic), said that reducing the number of parking spaces is not a practical solution. 'The number of vehicles is increasing every day. Instead of cutting down parking areas, the PMC should focus on creating more spaces for vehicle parking,' he said. For over a year, the PMC and the police have been working jointly on decongestion strategies, with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Ajit Pawar closely monitoring the issue. However, in high-level review meetings, police officials have consistently pointed fingers at the PMC portraying the latter as the main culprit behind Pune's traffic mess. This has led to mounting pressure on and criticism of PMC officials despite collaborative efforts. The steps proposed by the PMC in the draft letter to be sent to the city police after the municipal commissioner's approval include: With the number of private vehicles in Pune surpassing 5 million, PMC has urged the police to advocate for state intervention to restrict further vehicle registrations. Several private buses illegally halt on major roads to pick up passengers, contributing to congestion. PMC wants the police to intensify penal action and facilitate the relocation of private bus stations outside the city core. The civic body has recommended reducing designated parking areas and increasing 'no parking' fees by area to discourage commuters from parking in the wrong place. The letter calls for stringent penalties for traffic rule violations and constitution of mobile squads to tow illegally parked or obstructing vehicles. PMC also emphasises the need to enhance pedestrian safety through the use of modern technology. PMC has suggested the introduction of one vehicle-free day per week in government offices and large companies to curb traffic volume. PMC has pushed for a coordinated policy to decide where speed breakers should be installed or removed.
