Pune: PMC Reiterates Necessity of Balbharati-Paud Phata Road Amidst Opposition
Pune, 13th April 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reaffirmed its stance on Friday regarding the imperative need for the Balbharati-Paud Phata Road to alleviate traffic congestion on Law College Road and its vicinity. This declaration follows persistent objections from numerous citizens, whose concerns are being reviewed by a Supreme Court-appointed committee.
PMC officials emphasized that the proposed road, cutting through the hills, will not pose any environmental threats or endanger vital aquifers in the area. They assured that the road’s partly elevated structure will minimize ecological disruption.
Aniruddha Pawaskar, head of PMC’s road department, stated, “The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) conducted a site visit on Friday. We have provided our insights and evaluations to the committee members. The next steps will be determined based on the directives received from the committee and other relevant authorities.”
Environmentalists and civic activists have vehemently opposed the road, expressing concerns over its potential to irreversibly damage the green cover of Vetal Tekdi and disrupt its biodiversity. However, PMC officials argued that the road’s controlled access to Law College Road would alleviate traffic congestion on adjacent lanes. They also assured the installation of sound barriers to mitigate noise pollution and revealed plans to minimize excavation by employing elevated sections supported by two pillars.
Sources from the CEC revealed that the inspection, initially scheduled for the previous Sunday, was rescheduled to avoid clashes and ensure a more impartial review. They stated, “Both parties demonstrated passionate advocacy during the inspection. To ensure fair consideration, we opted for separate inspection days. We will listen to the environmentalists’ perspective during Monday’s inspection of the tekdi.”
The source added that some local residents accompanied PMC officials during Friday’s inspection and expressed concerns about traffic congestion while refraining from outright opposition to the road project.
Meanwhile, objecting residents plan to spotlight critical areas on the tekdi during the inspection. Prajakta Divekar, one of the residents who raised objections with the CEC, highlighted concerns about the project’s rationale and potential environmental repercussions. She criticized PMC’s failure to justify the claimed traffic flow towards Paud Phata and raised doubts about the road’s overall effectiveness in alleviating congestion on Law College Road.
