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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Flyover & grade separator planned for Sangamwadi Chowk in Pune
Pune: The civic administration has put forth a plan to construct a flyover and a grade separator at the busy Bindumadhav Balasaheb Thackeray Chowk, popularly known as Sangamwadi Chowk, to ease traffic flow. A budget of Rs115 crore has been estimated for both infra projects. Vehicles coming from the Sangamwadi, Yerawada, Deccan College and Pune Airport areas crisscross at this junction, which faces significant traffic snarls during peak hours. There have been repeated demands for long from regular commuters and former elected representatives to construct a flyover at the junction. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last year appointed a consultant to study the traffic situation and recommend measures. Thereafter, civic officials said a grade separator was proposed for vehicles coming from Shivajinagar via Sangamwadi Road to travel towards Airport Road (Ambedkar Chowk), and also towards Yerawada. Vehicles travelling on the Deccan College-Yerawada stretch will have the facility of a flyover catering to two-way traffic. It is expected that the proposed flyover and grade separator will eliminate halting for maximum vehicles at the chowk. The PMC has floated tenders to appoint an agency for execution, and this process is expected to be completed in the next few months. Civic officials said they will initiate steps to seek necessary permissions and approvals to avoid delays in starting this project work. Residents from the Sangamwadi area said that the provision of a flyover or an underpass at the chowk has been long pending. Amol Belsare, who works in the Yerawada area, said, "The chowk witnesses a rush during peak hours. Those travelling from Yerawada and crossing the junction to travel to Sangamwadi-Shivajinagar or Deccan College spend a lot of time in long snarls. It is unlikely that the situation will improve unless the administration constructs a flyover. " Former local corporator Sanjay Bhosale said that the issue of traffic chaos at the junction was raised repeatedly in general body meetings. "The administration needs to expedite the execution to give relief to commuters as PMC is already late in proposing the flyover and grade separator," he said. Meanwhile, sources from PMC said that before executing the project, the civic body will have to take a call on Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) lanes in the area. A few years ago, the administration dismantled the BRTS on Sangamwadi Road as a failed project; however, the BRTS lane still exists on the Deccan College Road.
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Pune Airport beats own record with 212 flight ops in single day
On Sunday, June 1, Pune Airport set a new record of handling a total 212 flight operations in a single day, outdoing its own previous record of handling 208 flight operations in a single day on January 12 this year. This landmark figure included 106 departures and 106 arrivals, with over 36,000 passengers passing through the airport in a single day as they headed to both domestic and international destinations. Airport director Santosh Dhoke expressed enthusiasm over the development saying, 'The overall flight operations on Sunday were executed smoothly. This is a very positive sign for us, indicating the steady growth of air traffic movement at Pune Airport. It is the highest number of flight movements recorded in a single day in our history, and it reflects the growing connectivity and demand among passengers. With 35 domestic and three international destinations currently linked to Pune - including two flights to Dubai, two to Bangkok, and one to Singapore, the city is becoming a significant aviation hub.' Dhoke emphasised that the operations were conducted efficiently without any major issues or delays, contributing to a seamless travel experience for passengers. 'There was no hassle and no operational constraints, and flight delays were minimal. We are optimistic that this number will continue to rise in the near future, especially as more destinations get connected and the frequency of flights increases,' he said. According to information shared by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Pune, the flight operations were conducted smoothly throughout the day from the Lohegaon-based Pune Airport. A total of 212 flights operated to and from 35 domestic and three international destinations. Of these, 106 flights arrived in Pune from major cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and others, bringing in more than 18,000 passengers. The remaining 106 flights departed to various locations, carrying over 18,000 passengers to their respective destinations in India and abroad. Rohit Varma, an information technology (IT) professional and frequent flyer headed to Bengaluru, said, 'I travel frequently for work, and I've seen how Pune Airport has evolved over the past few years. But what I experienced on Sunday was truly impressive. Despite the large number of flights, the check-in process was smooth, security lines were well managed, and there were no delays. It was surprising to see so many flights operating seamlessly in one day. The addition of more destinations and international connections like Dubai and Singapore is a big plus for business travellers like me. It saves time and eliminates the need to travel to Mumbai for certain flights. Pune is definitely stepping up as a major travel hub.'
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Leopard rescue op at Pune International Airport in final stage: Forest Dept.
The ongoing operation to capture the leopard that was spotted at Pune International Airport on April 28 is in its final stage, according to Tushar Chavan, deputy conservator of forests (wildlife), Pune. The officer remains optimistic about the animal's safe capture, despite a delay in the rescue operation. 'Due to security protocols, we are not in a position to share further details of the rescue operation. However, multiple efforts are being made to capture the leopard within the airport premises. The operation is nearing completion and we believe that we will capture the leopard in the next two days,' Chavan said. A source informed Hindustan Times that the team has managed to restrict the movement of the leopard by cordoning off the area and that it hopes to capture the animal soon. On April 28, a fully-grown male leopard was spotted at Pune International Airport (part of an airbase) at about 7 am after which it was sighted again at about 8 pm, resting on the runway and take-off site. The Pune Airport staff alerted the forest department about the presence of the wild animal following which the forest department immediately launched a search operation. Conducted jointly by a team of forest officials and members of the RESQ Charitable Trust (NGO), three trap cameras along with two cages were set up initially. The number of trap cameras was increased to nine within a week of the rescue operation. In the meantime, flight operations for both civilian and Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft remained unaffected. Earlier, N R Praveen, chief conservator of forests, Pune forest department, told Hindustan Times that the department initially installed trap cages at various locations and that the leopard entered the cage/s on two occasions. On the first such occasion however, the door of the trap cage could not be closed due to lack of a pressure point. And on the second such occasion, the leopard managed to escape after grabbing the bait. 'All standard procedures are being followed during the search-and-capture operation. The department is also maintaining communication with the Air Force authorities regarding the same. We believe that the leopard has used the open drainage channel to enter the premises. The team is working on the ground and necessary actions are being taken after following the situation,' Praveen had earlier told Hindustan Times. Following the launch of 'Operation Sindoor' by the Indian Armed Forces, the search-and-rescue operation was temporarily put on hold due to military tensions between India and Pakistan. Pune International Airport being part of an airbase was on high alert and because of security protocols, access to the base was restricted. The operation resumed on May 17 and has been intensified ever since. However, the department is finding it challenging to capture the leopard due to various reasons which the officers refuse to disclose at the moment.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
DRI Pune seizes hydroponic weed worth ₹10.3 crore, three arrested
PUNE The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Pune unit, intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok at Pune Airport on May 12, and seized a significant 9.864 kg of narcotics, said officials. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers examined the checked-in baggage of the passengers and recovered 11 airtight pouches containing a greenish, lumpy substance suspected to be hydroponic weed. Field testing confirmed the presence of narcotic substances. In a coordinated follow-up operation in Mumbai, DRI officials apprehended one of the suspected receivers or distributors of the consignment. A search at his premises led to the additional recovery of 478 grams of narcotics, including hashish and hydroponic weed. In total, 10.3 kg of narcotic substances with an estimated illicit market value of ₹10.3 crore were seized. All three individuals involved — the two passengers and the Mumbai-based distributor — have been arrested under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Indian Express
A look at security measures at Pune airport, railway station, Swargate bus depot amid India-Pakistan tension
In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor carried out by the Indian Armed Forces, and the subsequent tensions and attacks along the India-Pakistan border, cities across the country remained on high alert. The Indian Express takes a look at the heightened security arrangements at the three main entry and exit points in the city-the Pune Airport, Pune Railway Station, and Swargate bus station. Pune Airport The Pune airport had announced additional security measures in light of the tensions at the border. On Friday, it said that 100 percent Secondary Ladder Point Checking (SLPC) has been made compulsory for all flights. Among other measures, random baggage checks were conducted on passengers before entering the terminal, and an increased percentage of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) checks for consignments was also being carried out. 'We were expecting intense checks and long queues. So we reached well before the usual reporting time. But surprisingly, everything moved quickly,' said Asit Sonavare, a cybersecurity professional, who had come to accompany a friend flying to Bangalore. 'My friend went through security and check-in without delays. There were even rumours that Digi Yatra services were suspended due to the situation. But that turned out to be false. The system was working perfectly. I think the bigger problem right now is the volume of unverified information being circulated. The ground reality is far more stable than what's being portrayed online,' he added. Amruta Doshi, who had come from Nanded to see off her sister and her family flying to Germany, said they had come to the airport quite apprehensive about whether international travel would be permitted. 'Honestly, we were very anxious when we left home this morning. With everything we've been seeing on the news, it felt like we were stepping into a zone of uncertainty. But when we reached the airport, we were surprised by how normal everything was. There's security in place, yes, but it's organised, and it doesn't feel panicked. As family members, we're still a little scared, but there's nothing to worry about,' she said. Pune railway station The railway authorities at Pune station focused on strictly enforcing existing safety protocols as part of a precautionary approach during the heightened alert period. 'We already have safety measures in place. Right now, we're just making sure they are followed more strictly. There's nothing new being added,' said Ravindra P Dhumal, Station Operations Manager. Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel are stationed across platforms, entry points, and near trains. Baggage screening is being enforced more rigorously, with passengers required to scan their luggage through X-Ray scanners before entering the station across all entry points. Those who attempt to bypass the scanners are being stopped by security personnel, who ask them to return and complete the necessary screening. Metal detectors are also being used at various points within the station for added security. Access control has also been tightened, and ticket checks are being carried out regularly. Status quo continues regarding the restriction on the sale of platform tickets at the railway station as a safety measure to limit the presence of non-travellers on platforms. The sale of platform tickets was suspended last year to reduce crowding. Swargate bus station Security guards were present at the entrance and inside the Swargate State Transport bus stand. However, these security measures were put in place after the brutal rape of a Pune woman inside a parked Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus inside the sprawling bus station in February. A security official deployed at the spot said that no additional measures were added in the aftermath of the tensions between India and Pakistan. 'A police van is present at Swargate round the clock, and senior police officers do continuous night patrols here,' he said. Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More
