Pune: PMC Starts Paud Phata-Balbharati Road Survey; Activists Express Discontent
Pune, 29th June 2022: On Monday, the civic organisation began an origin-destination study to determine how the proposed Paud Phata to Balbharati road would function in practice.
An official from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) stated that the study will estimate the public support for the proposed road and traffic arrangements. The proposed route from Paud Phata to Balbharati Road will go through hills that are home to a diverse range of wildlife and used by locals for their morning and evening strolls. Environmentalists and nature lovers have been protesting the proposal because they believe it will harm the local flora and animals.
V G Kulkarni, Head of the PMC’s Road Department said, “Citizens now can submit recommendations and objections to the city government regarding the project online. After the survey, the project’s foundational work will begin.”
He added, “For the initiative, the PMC has hired a project management consultant. The consultant will also be in charge of the project’s foundation.”
According to PMC, the project would cost around Rs 140 crore. However, the estimated cost might increase as the civic body is tagging the High Capacity Mass Transit Route cost with the proposed project.
The PMC plans to start the construction of the road from Kelewadi junction on Paud Road to Bal Bharati behind Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. The aim is to reduce traffic as well as pollution.
Many activists are opposing this decision taken by the PMC.
Harshad Abhyankar from the Save Pune Traffic Group said, “The detailed information on how the proposed route will improve the traffic arrangements has not been provided by the city authorities. Additionally, the civic organisation has not specified how the proposed route will ease traffic on Law College Road. Increasing public transportation is the sole solution to the traffic jam, not building such roads.”
