Pune: Punawale Residents Seek Help From MP For Relief Amidst Traffic and Metro Issues

Residents highlight the urgent need for action on traffic congestion, metro project and forest protection in appeal to Maval MP Shrirang Appa Barne.  

2 May 2024

By Payoshi Bisht

The Punawale (Pimpri Chinchwad) Residents Forum recently issued an urgent appeal to Honourable Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Shrirang Appa Barne of Maval, Maharashtra, drawing attention to the pressing issues affecting their community. In their plea, residents emphasise the dire traffic situation, lagging proposed metro project and the urgent need for forest protection.

Punawale residents are grappling with daily traffic nightmares, particularly at the Punawale-Tathawade underpass, which poses safety concerns for emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Despite repeated calls for action, progress on the announced elevated corridor project from Kivale to Balewadi has been stagnant, leaving residents hopeless about any relief in the near future. The PCMC having absolved themselves of responsibility further compounds the frustration among residents.

Given the ongoing delays in infrastructure projects, residents are calling for interim measures to mitigate traffic congestion. The suggestions provided include the construction of temporary or alternative roads to divert traffic away from congested areas, providing much-needed relief until permanent solutions are implemented. The Punawale Residents Forum urges MP Shrirang Appa Barne to take decisive action and advocate for these interim measures on behalf of the community.

Another concern raised by residents is the oversight regarding the proposed metro line (Nigdi – Kiwale – Rawet – Wakad), which has neglected Punawale despite the area’s struggle with increased population and traffic bottlenecks. Residents request corrective action to ensure equitable access to public transportation facilities for all constituents.

The issue regarding the Punawale forest, a vital green cover in an area burdened by pollution, has also been highlighted, as it is undergoing illegal logging and forest fires. Residents stress the urgent need for protection measures, including the installation of fencing and deployment of guards. They appeal to MP Shrirang Appa Barne to allocate funds from his MP quota for safeguarding Punawale forest, emphasising the importance of preserving the precious ecosystem.

As MP Shrirang Appa Barne contends for re-election from Maval constituency for the third time, residents extend their support and best wishes for his candidacy.