Pune: Residents of Viman Nagar Petition PMC and Police to Address Concerns Over New Airport Road

Viman Nagar, 29th April 2024: A trio of concerned citizens from Viman Nagar, including Qaneez Sukhrani, an RTI Activist and Convenor of the Viman Nagar Citizens Forum, Shyam Kuddyady, a resident of Mhada Road, and Umesh Magar, a businessman in Viman Nagar, have initiated an online petition regarding the potential chaos that may ensue if the new airport road is opened without proper deliberation and decision-making by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Police.

The PMC has recently completed construction on what they term as a “link road” from Airport Terminal Two into the residential area of Viman Nagar. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of foresight regarding the repercussions this may have on the residents and surrounding areas, including Kalyani Nagar.

Traffic congestion and management issues have plagued various parts of Pune, including SPPU junction, Katraj-Kondhwa, Chandni Chowk, and others. The root cause often lies in the failure of senior officials from both the PMC and the Police to collaborate and make timely decisions prior to project implementation.

Despite multiple requests dating back to November 2023, both the PMC Road Department and the Traffic Police have neglected the gravity of the situation and have failed to engage with residents to find mutually beneficial solutions. A legal notice was issued on April 2, 2024, urging senior officials from both departments to conduct a site visit with residents and make a final decision to address traffic diversion and related chaos. However, excuses citing election duties and VIP visits have hindered progress in this regard.

The new road, dubbed the “NEW LINK DISCOVERED,” was announced by the PMC following an agreement with the Air Force to lease a portion of land. While construction commenced amidst media coverage, the concerns raised by residents were not given due attention by state and PMC authorities. Even at this juncture, the potential for solutions remains, provided PMC and Traffic Police collaborate to implement traffic diversions and enforce stringent rules before Terminal Two becomes operational.

However, the layout and planning of the new road raise significant safety concerns. The entry onto the road, initially 18 meters wide, narrows to 12 meters with sharp curves, posing challenges for vehicular movement. Additionally, the presence of parked vehicles along the narrow stretches further exacerbates the risk of accidents and traffic jams.

The Viman Nagar Citizens Forum has put forth several demands to address these issues:

1. Ensure continued entry into Airport Terminal Two via the current path from Terminal One gate on VIP Airport Road.
2. Complete acquisition of land on both sides for widening of VIP Airport Road.
3. Create a loop from AAI Terminal Two for one-way exit onto the new road, avoiding Mhada Road and entering Viman Nagar Lane no. 19.
4. Enhance traffic flow along designated routes to alleviate congestion.
5. Prioritize widening of narrow roads in Viman Nagar.
6. Implement strict measures to prevent illegal parking and encroachment on roads.
7. Relocate vendors and hawkers to facilitate smooth traffic flow.

Residents have urged action from PMC and Traffic Police to address these concerns and ensure the safety and well-being of Viman Nagar residents.