Katraj-Kondhwa Road Widening Back on Track with ₹140 Crore Boost in Pune

The Maharashtra state government has allocated ₹140 crore to expedite land acquisition for the widening of Katraj-Kondhwa Road, reviving hopes for quick progress. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had previously struggled with land acquisition as most landowners demanded cash compensation, causing delays. Originally slated for completion by March 2025, the project had faced significant setbacks due to the PMC's limited cash reserves. A senior civic official cited the administration's financial constraints as a primary reason for the sluggish progress.

The state government had initially sanctioned ₹200 crore for the project, with PMC utilizing about ₹48 crore so far. The road, which spans areas like Rajas Society, Khadi Machine Chowk, and Pisoli, has been a source of frustration for commuters. Residents, like Rucha Joshi from Bibvewadi, expressed concerns over worsening conditions during the monsoon, with potholes and heavy vehicle traffic making travel hazardous. Delays in completing the Katraj flyover and issues like illegal autorickshaw stands have exacerbated traffic woes.

PMC officials reported that land constraints have reduced the road's planned width from 84m to 50m. The PMC requires around 2.88 lakh sqm of land, with 1.60 lakh sqm already acquired. Service line installations on half the road are complete, with ongoing construction of an underpass and flyover. To expedite the project, PMC has urged major landowners and developers to provide land through transfer development rights (TDR), while offering cash compensation to smaller property owners.

Commuters and local officials emphasize the urgency of the project. Traffic police officer Chandrakant Pisal highlighted overpopulation and high volumes of PMPML buses as contributing factors to irregular traffic conditions. Former MLA of Hadapsar, Yogesh Tilekar, stressed that the project was initiated due to citizen protests and elected officials' efforts, with funding finally secured despite earlier delays.

News by Rahul Yelligetti