Commuters in Pune eagerly anticipating the relief from traffic congestion on Ganeshkhind Road through the use of Agriculture College’s internal road will have to wait until the end of February. The delay is attributed to safety concerns raised by college administrators, emphasizing the need for adequate barricading and staffing on the stretch before opening it to the public.
Shivajinagar Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Siddharth Shirole, who initially proposed the alternative route to alleviate traffic on Ganeshkhind Road, revealed that college officials expressed worries about student safety in open ground areas on Thursday. The administrators stressed the importance of implementing the plan with caution, ensuring proper barricading and considering an additional internal path.
Shirole clarified that the road would remain inaccessible to commuters until the barricading work is completed and the alternate route is assessed. The entire plan is expected to be implemented by the end of February at the latest.
The collaboration between Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Agriculture College administrators led to the approval of Shirole’s proposal for an alternate route. This decision came in response to the persistent issue of traffic jams on Ganeshkhind Road, especially around Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Chowk.
While the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) plans to ease traffic with an integrated flyover connecting SPPU Chowk to the E-Square junction by August 15, 2024, Shirole’s proposed alternate route remains a crucial interim solution.
Despite the initial agreement to open the internal road for traffic, Agriculture College officials are now expressing reservations due to security concerns. They highlight the presence of students on campus, engaged in practical work outside on the grounds. The road’s opening could pose challenges unless there is proper barricading to protect students’ practical activities and sufficient staffing to prevent interference from commuters.
