The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has taken a significant step towards the construction of the proposed Inner Ring Road by opting for a public-private partnership (PPP) model on a pilot basis. Two stretches of the Inner Ring Road will be developed through this approach, with development costs to be repaid via credit notes. The PMRDA has initiated the process by floating a tender for the appointment of a project management consultant to oversee the estimated ₹550 crore project.
Key Stretches and Estimated Costs: The two stretches in focus include a 4.8 km section from Solu to Nirgudi on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road, with an estimated construction cost of ₹400 crore. The second stretch spans 5.7 km from Lohegaon to Charholi within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, with an estimated cost of ₹150 crore. These stretches aim to connect Wagholi on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road to Charholi within the Pimpri-Chinchwad limits, providing improved access to surrounding areas.
Three-Step Process for Inner Ring Road: Ashok Bhalkar, chief engineer of PMRDA, outlined the three steps involved in the Inner Ring Road project. These include land acquisition, the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR), and the appointment of a project management consultant. The tender for the consultant’s appointment is already in motion, and the actual construction work is slated to commence post the Lok Sabha elections.
Route Map and Connectivity: The Inner Ring Road’s route map indicates connections to Urse, Aakurdi, Chakan, Solu, Wagholi, Kadamwak Wasti, Holkarwadi, Dhayari, Bavdhan Budruk, and Sangavade. With a common 38.5 km alignment with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation’s (MSRDC) Ring Road between Urse and Solu villages, the Inner Ring Road aims to alleviate congestion in the inner city roads.
Land Acquisition and Overall Project Cost: Land acquisition for the Inner Ring Road, covering 44 villages across Khed, Haveli, Mulshi, and Maval talukas in Pune district, is in progress. The project requires approximately 720 hectares of land, and the total estimated cost, including land acquisition, is ₹1,400 crore. PMRDA officials confirm the initiation of land acquisition in Solu, Nirgudi, and Wadgaon Shinde villages.
