Katraj : The Maharashtra State Government has officially sanctioned Rs 200 crore for the much-anticipated widening of the Katraj-Kondhwa road. This crucial decision, subject to discussions since the previous year, was finalized during the latest cabinet meeting.
The allocated funds are specifically designated for the acquisition of land required for the expansion of the Katraj-Kondhwa road. Following the cabinet’s approval, the next step involves issuing a government order, after which the earmarked amount will be transferred to the bank account of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The infusion of funds is expected to expedite the previously stalled land acquisition process, facilitating progress on the road-widening project.
Commenced by the PMC in 2018, the widening project faced setbacks due to insufficient financial resources, necessitating Rs 710 crore for land acquisition to accommodate an 84-meter wide road. However, owing to funding constraints, a decision was made last year to reduce the road width to 50 meters, with the state government committing Rs 200 crore towards land acquisition.
Despite prior announcements, the actual acquisition process had not commenced, raising concerns among residents affected by the project’s delay. Various stakeholders, including former Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil and current Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, intervened by inspecting the project site and advocating for its advancement.
During his inspection, Ajit Pawar assured that the proposal for Rs 200 crore allocation would be approved in the cabinet meeting, a commitment now fulfilled. PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar confirmed the approval, emphasizing that the allocated funds will catalyze the land acquisition process, thereby accelerating progress on the Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project.
