Pune: Gangadham Flyover Plan Hits Roadblock: New Design Awaits Approval Amid Environmental Protests And Land Acquisition Delays
Pune: Gangadham Flyover Plan Hits Roadblock: New Design Awaits Approval Amid Environmental Protests And Land Acquisition Delays
Pune, June 6 – The proposed flyover at Gangadham Chowk, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the Market Yard-Bibwewadi area, has hit a dead end as the original design has been scrapped and a revised version now awaits approval. The project, first sanctioned three years ago by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), is facing delays due to environmental concerns, political objections, and pending land acquisition.
To address the chronic traffic snarls in the bustling Gangadham Chowk, PMC had approved a plan on August 5, 2022, to construct a flyover and a grade separator, along with a 24-meter-wide connecting road. However, following objections from elected representatives, the original blueprint was discarded. A new, revised design has been prepared and sent to COEP Technological University for technical evaluation.
The revised project, estimated to cost ₹60 crore, will be executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model through a credit note system. But even before construction has started, opposition has intensified due to environmental concerns, particularly the proposed cutting of trees.
In the lead-up to the flyover, PMC’s road department began road widening work between Lullanagar and Bibwewadi by reducing pedestrian pathways. This has sparked protests from environmentalists, who object to the felling of trees without proper mitigation. The revised plan eliminates the grade separator originally included.
Key Project Details:
- Flyover Length: 675 meters
- Width: 16 meters
- Route: From Shah Complex in Bibwewadi to CRU Mall near Gangadham
- Estimated Trees To Be Cut: 85
- PMC’s Tree Compensation Plan: To plant 1,400 new trees before cutting existing ones
Meanwhile, land acquisition for the 980-meter-long and 24-meter-wide road between Katraj-Kondhwa and Bibwewadi has remained incomplete over the past three years. This road is expected to provide an alternative route, reducing pressure on Gangadham Chowk. Despite the flyover’s construction, concerns remain about congestion in the narrow Army-owned stretch ahead.
The revised plan has been sent to COEP for review. Once we receive their feedback, further steps will be taken.
Balasaheb Runwal , Local Resident:
“Cutting down 85 trees without first planting new ones is unacceptable. The area has 12 residential lanes—were residents consulted? Even after the flyover, traffic problems may persist due to the narrow Army-owned road.”
Ameet Singh , Environmental Activist: “Flyovers haven’t resolved congestion on Sinhagad Road. Instead of more flyovers, PMC should invest in 10,000 PMPML buses. We strongly oppose illegal tree felling for this flyover.”
As the revised design awaits approval, and opposition from residents and environmentalists continues, the Gangadham flyover remains stuck in administrative and ecological gridlock.
