PMC Reconsiders Widening Katraj-Kondhwa Road To 84 Metres
PMC Reconsiders Widening Katraj-Kondhwa Road To 84 Metres
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is contemplating increasing the width of the Katraj-Kondhwa road from 50 metres to 84 metres, a year after the project began. The road, a vital link between Katraj and Kondhwa, has been plagued by traffic congestion, prompting the PMC to revisit its expansion plans.
In 2018, the PMC had appointed a contractor to widen the road from 28 metres to 84 metres. However, the project faced hurdles due to land acquisition issues, forcing the civic body to reduce the proposed width to 50 metres in 2023.
Now, the PMC is urging big landowners to accept transferable development rights (TDRs) to facilitate the acquisition of the required land. The civic administration has also sought funds from the state government to provide cash compensation to small property owners. Additionally, the Centre may offer financial assistance through the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale stated to the media that, “The Centre is likely to aid us through the NHAI. The authority will bear the cost of construction if the civic administration completes the land acquisition.”
Residents are eager for the project’s completion, citing the road’s accident-prone nature and the challenges of navigating it during the rainy season. Rucha Joshi from Katraj expressed frustration, saying, “We have been hearing for years that the traffic problem will be resolved once Katraj-Kondhwa road is widened. If this stretch is so important, then why is the administration not making extra efforts to complete it soon?”
According to civic officials, the state government had allocated Rs 200 crore for land acquisition, releasing Rs 140 crore in September. The PMC has utilized Rs 48 crore so far. However, widening the road to 84 metres would require an additional Rs 360 crore.
The PMC has completed laying service lines in nearly half the road, and the construction of an underpass and flyover is underway. With the PMC reconsidering the road’s expansion, residents hope that the project will be completed soon, bringing much-needed relief to commuters.
