Pune: PMC Unveils Ambitious Plan To Decongest 20 City Junctions, Relocate Traffic Signals
Pune, 30th October 2023: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is embarking on a comprehensive plan to alleviate congestion at 20 crucial junctions across the city. The initiative involves relocating or eliminating traffic signals and addressing encroachments to streamline traffic flow.
This extensive overhaul is anticipated to span approximately five months, with each junction undergoing renovations lasting 10-15 days.
Vikas Dhakane, PMC’s Additional Commissioner, revealed that the traffic management plan for two critical junctions—Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Warje and Shastrinagar Chowk on Nagar Road—has been finalized and will be implemented within a month. Plans for other congested junctions in the city are in the drafting stage and will be executed soon.
PMC officials emphasized the inclusion of traffic experts in the project, seeking ways to maintain smooth traffic flow at all 20 identified junctions. The civic body is compiling a list of empanelled traffic planners, including members from city NGOs and retired officials, to contribute to the design and execution of the traffic management projects.
Authorities noted that PMC had initiated a similar project before the G20 meetings earlier in the year, making this endeavor an extension of their efforts to enhance traffic conditions at 20 additional junctions. The project will leverage CSR funding and funds allocated by the central government for the G20 meetings.
The identified junctions slated for renovation were designed decades ago and are deemed inadequate to handle the current surge in private vehicles. Commuters and residents have expressed concerns about the outdated infrastructure and called for reliable and accessible public transport options.
Jugal Rathi, a PMP Pravasi Manch activist, emphasized the need to promote buses and the Metro while ensuring dependable transport for commuters.
Concerns were also raised about illegal shops and encroachments at junctions. Vivek Velankar of the Sajag Nagrik Manch urged PMC to promptly remove these obstacles to increase road carriageway.
The planned renovations include the creation or alteration of traffic islands, safety measures for pedestrian crossings, footpaths, road dividers, relocation of traffic signals, and relocation of electrical poles.
Key junctions slated for improvements include Shastrinagar Junction, Sadalbaba Dargah Chowk, Ramwadi Octroi Naka, Kharadi Dargah Junction, Tata Guardroom Junction, and others strategically chosen to address traffic congestion issues in the city.
