Pune, 20th August 2023: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has successfully acquired land at 16 out of the 21 identified locations required for the road widening project on Ganeshkhind Road, aimed at enhancing the area’s infrastructure.
As per official reports, the current width of Ganeshkhind Road stands at 36 meters, while the proposed road width under the Pune Municipal Corporation’s development plan is set at 45 meters. A significant portion of the road, approximately 11.00 meters between Vidyapeeth Chowk and Senapati Bapat Chowk, along with 9.00 meters between Senapati Bapat Chowk and Shivajinagar, will be cordoned off for the ongoing Metro construction and the proposed Double Decker flyover development. Consequently, this leaves only 2 to 2.5 lanes available for traffic movement, in contrast to the existing 36.00 meters of road.
Officials have highlighted concerns about the current road width potentially leading to severe traffic congestion along Ganeshkhind Road during peak hours. To mitigate this, the construction of the double-decker flyover can only commence after the 250-meter-long road segment between Senapati Bapat Chowk and Pune University Chowk is widened.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has announced the immediate initiation of tasks related to the Metro project, flyover construction, and road expansion. This directive includes expediting the process of land acquisition. Among the crucial spots along the road, 21 locations have been identified, out of which 16 have already been acquired. Some of these designated areas are reserved for government institutions, power distribution companies, and a branch of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Vikas Dhakane, the senior officer responsible for development, has confirmed that the Public Works Department has received orders to clear road encroachments and provide temporary alternative routes for motorists.
The concerted efforts to widen Ganeshkhind Road reflect Pune’s commitment to enhancing its infrastructure and accommodating the growing demands of a thriving city.
